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"And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah... So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly"
(2 Samuel 24:1;8-10).
Today's Morsel: One of the tricks of the trade that the enemy uses against the church is the numbering system. Some pastors and saints become so discouraged because they see or hear of churches that have what they call large congregations, and they only see their 10-15 each Sunday and during mid-week. They try using every developed program for church growth and revival, yet nothing seems to work. And so they become discouraged. Me, I don't worry about numbers, because my Bible says that where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in the midst. So as long as Jesus is there, nothing else matters. The numbers are not what is important, as long as I am doing what He asks me to do. Paul said, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building" (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). I know that as a leader, you can't directly supervise more than five people at one time. Anymore than that, you will need help. Ask the mother who has more than three children. Or the Toddler Sunday school teacher who has more than three tots in her classroom. She is ready to pull her hair out by the end of class if she doesn't have some help. When I was in the Army, the largest unit I oversaw was 250 people. But I only directly supervised two of them, the two secretaries. The rest of the unit was broken down into smaller elements for supervision. As Moses' father-in-law told him, you better get yourself some help or you will kill yourself (my wording). When King David wanted Joab to number the people, Joab said unto the king, "Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?" (2 Samuel 24:3) In other words, why, other than for pride! But David wanted to know. And scripture says that after he was told the number, his heart smote him and David realized that he had sinned against God in doing it. And seventy thousand men lost their lives ( 1 Samuel 24: 15). Always remember, it's not about numbers with God. It's about quality. Five hundred people who aren't ready for heaven is spiritual leadership failure. But ten who are, that is spiritual leadership success.
Sing: I'm yours Lord, everything I am, everything I'm not, everything I've got; I'm yours Lord, try me now and see, see If I can be completely yours.
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