Accounting. Yikes!

Numbers 26:63-65 These are the ones counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho. 64 Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai. 65 For the LORD had told those Israelites they would surely die in the wilderness, and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

     There are some portions of Scripture that most of us have a hard time understanding why they are there. Like some sections of the book of Numbers. There are two censuses in the book. One happens shortly after the Israelites are delivered from Egypt. The other happens nearly forty years later when they are about to enter the Promised Land. They are counted by clan, and the numbers are included in the text.
     But what do those numbers have to do with the plan of God revealed in Scripture?
     That is a great question! I am glad you asked. The key is the phrase "not one of them" which is repeated in the text. You see, they had made a listing of the people who came out of Egypt, who had seen the miracles face to face, who had subsequently chosen not to believe the LORD's promise. So the LORD made another promise. "Not one of them" would enter the Promised Land.
     So the counting demonstrates the faithfulness of the LORD. He keeps His word, even when we fail. He can be counted on (pun intended) to keep His promises to us. So the counting confirmed that what He said had happened. When He says it, it will happen.
     So the promises He has made concerning the forgiveness of our sin because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us can be trusted. The future home He has prepared for us is there. When He calls us to repentance, we can rest assured that He is waiting with open arms to receive us back into fellowship with Himself. We can trust Him completely. Or to say it in current vernacular, "He has our back."
     So today, turn to Him and know that He is there waiting for us to return, whether it has been a long journey away, or just a short day trip. He wants to share His presence with us. What is stopping you from returning?