Scripture
601,730. Numbers 26:51

Observation
There are certain numbers that mean more than just digits. 1776 is more than a year. September 11 is more than a day. The number 31 takes on a whole different meaning when applied to ice cream rather than calendars. The number 601,730 is just as profound if we understand what it means.

When God’s people left Egypt there were 603, 550 men. Just forty years later there were just 1,820 people fewer at 601,730. That was quite an achievement considering the challenges. Without Walmart, Costco, Blue Cross, City Water, City Sanitation, Moses had moved over a million people on foot for four decades through a desert. The ground had swallowed some and fire burned up others. So losing just under 2,000 in total population count was quite a feat after 40 years. Study any great flight of refugees in the world and it is plain that in hard times numbers dwindle. But 601,730 survived.

Application
Was that great leadership? No it was a great God guiding his people. Do we have any conception of the Lord’s ability to sustain and guide us?

Prayer
Father,as I lead your people at Evergreen, I am looking for your sustaining power. If you could help your people in Moses’ day just break even in hard times, then I trust you to do yet even more in these times that are so good. I trust you to sustain and guide us. Amen.