Don’t count on it

Today’s blog post is contributed by David Trotta:

My grandchildren love to show off their counting skills.  First it’s being able to count to 10, then 20, then 100.  The higher they can count, the prouder they are.

Counting is one of the first things we learn because it is such a necessary part of our everyday lives.

But, counting is not always a good thing to do.  Take King David for example.

In the book of First Chronicles, David asked the commander of his army to take a census and count the people of Israel, specifically those who could handle a sword.

Here’s what God had to say about David’s census taking…

God was very displeased with the census, and he punished Israel for it.  Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt for doing this foolish thing.” (I Chronicles 21:7-8)

The people of Israel belonged to God.  David had no right counting what didn’t belong to him, especially with the desire to stroke his ego.

We should never count (boast in, put our confidence in, pat ourselves on our back) about our strengths, abilities or resources.

None of that impresses God.  All we have is His anyway and not anything we can boast in.  The apostle Paul says to boast in our weaknesses, not our strengths (2 Corinthians 11:30).

What does impress God is a humble and contrite heart.

But this is the one to whom I will look; he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:2)