20From the descendants of Reuben the firstborn son of Israel: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. - P94
44These were the men counted by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family.
45All the Israelites twenty years old or more who were able to serve in Israel’s army were counted according to their families.
46The total number was 603,550. - P95
We are reminded that even when our individual strengths and contributions differ, together we fulfill God’s purpose. - P96
God calls His people not merely to get things done but to carry out His instructions with a spirit of devotion and diligence. - P96
When offered in obedience, our unique abilities and contributions strengthen the whole community. Whether we are many or few, our role is to serve God with all we have, bringing our best to His work. - P96
From a group of seventy of the house of Jacob who journeyed into Egypt, Israel has now become a vast, strong people. God’s faithfulness to His promises shines through even when it seems impossible to grasp how His plans will unfold. - P96
Often we only see the beginnings, the seed form of His promises, making it challenging to fully trust in the outcome. Yet, God’s faithfulness is unfailing, and when we look back, we can marvel at the beauty and completeness of His fulfilled promises. - P96
Yet, the reality is that Heloves us more than we could possibly comprehend, and He knows us moredeeply than we could ever know ourselves, for He is the One who createdeach unique person with their individual personalities, gifts, and abilities. - P97
We see in the book of Numbers how God cares about His people. He tellsMoses to "take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans andfamilies, listing every man by name, one by one" (Num. 1:2). One reasonfor this census is to record a list of possible soldiers, but the inclusion ofeach name also reflects God‘s attention for every person in the Israelitecommunity. - P97
Every family matters to God because they belong to His com-munity. They are His family. Believers today can rest assured that God seeseach one of us. He cares for every one of His children. He knows us one byone and loves us in the way that we need Him most. - P97
Father, thank you for Your unfailing promises. Strengthen my heart to trust in You when I cannot see the full picture. - P97
Help me to wait with patience and faith, knowing that Your Word never fails. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen. - P97
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