1 Chronicles 21:1-2
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
The Word of God tells us that David, being provoked by Satan, determined in his mind to number the people of Israel. In other words, he ordered a census so he would know the number of people who fell under his rule.
Like David, many of us in ministry feel the need to quantify the thing that God has already qualified. For some, it’s the number of people in the church God has called us to build, or the amount of money in the account for the ministry He has instructed us to launch. Placing numbers on a thing that God has ordained is a dangerous distraction from fulfilling the divine vision.
1 Chronicles 21:7-8
And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
The Word of God tells us that God was angry at David for the action he’d taken. In fact, it brought a plague upon the people. Why? What was so bad about numbering the people? It was the fruit of David’s pride. God making him great wasn’t good enough. He wanted proof… a record that others could not deny. Pleasing God was no longer good enough. His flesh, his pride wanted more!
Think about it, people of God. Why do we care how many people are in our church? Because having a larger number somehow tickles our flesh. In our finite minds, a large number of followers justifies us. It makes us look good to the masses. It removes the doubters and causes people to believe in us. It feeds our EGO. Nevertheless, this is not the heart nor the plan of God.
Just as in David’s day, when we begin to operate in ministry to please men, rather than God, the people suffer. Just look at the church today… full of itching ears and people who cannot endure sound doctrine. Why? Because holiness is not popular. So many have compromised the Word of God in order to draw a crowd. Straight and narrow is still the way, and FEW there be that find it. God is not concerned about numbers. If He were, there would be no need for a REMNANT.
How dare we try to devalue what God has ordained! Quantifying what God has already qualified is nothing more than a slap in God’s face. Who are we to set the standards for God to meet? Who are we to judge what God has set in place?
I have been guilty of this very thing, feeling that our church and ministry was not blessed, because others said it was “too small.” I’ve doubted the call on my life, because the wealth wasn’t there or the calendar wasn’t full. Yet, God quickly reminded me that He has called me and set me as a prophet, to speak His words – not to gain popularity. He has given me watch over souls, and I can never devalue them simply because they are few in number.
So I encourage God’s people on today. Stop looking at natural things to measure your supernatural worth! It doesn’t work. It is the plan of the enemy to show you things that can be seen, and thereby attack your faith, which operates on things NOT seen. You cannot compare apples to oranges. Hasn’t God already shown us that big is not always better… Richer is not always more anointed… Prettier is not always favored? Has He not chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise? Has He not declared that the last shall be first and the first shall be last? Has He not proclaimed that the greatest among us should serve?
Stop it! You cannot measure spiritual success by natural measures. Did God ordain it? Then go forth! AMEN.
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