“Does not he see my ways
and number all my steps?” Job 31:4
“Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.”
“He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.” Psalm 139:16-18; 147:4
“Lift up your eyes on high and see:
who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
and because he is strong in power,
not one is missing.” Isaiah 40:26
“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Luke 12:7
He numbered the seasons when He set the earth spinning, and the stars He placed in heaven and knows by name. He numbered the chromosomes of man when He created His image-bearer from dust. He numbers our steps, our days, and the hairs on our head. He brought math into existence in HIs exquisite, infinite design. And full of innumerable thoughts and immeasurable love toward us, the grand Accountant does not count our sins against us because of Jesus. How marvelous, how intricate, how indescribable is this God?! (Genesis 1:16-18,27; Psalm 32:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19)
It does us well to take humble accounting of all He numbers. Contemplating His upholding in place the stars He formed with His fingers, as well as His knowledge of the very hairs on our heads, are we not humbled, and hushed? He chooses to account and care for what He does, and covers over an immensity of sin and guilt and shame with His love. Do we fall in worship? Do these truths not steady our hearts and fix our thinking about His vastness?
If God knows the number of my days, why do I worry over so many uncertainties and health what-ifs? If God numbers and owns all riches, why would I fret over lack? If God measures my tears, and hears every prayer, why do I sorrow with despair? How can I learn to number my days with prudence, and count it joy to suffer trials? How will I love Him more? (1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 8:3-4; 24:1; 50:10-12; 56:8; Romans 11:36; Philippians 4:19)
“The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star,
and reaches to the lowest hell.
The wand’ring child is reconciled
by God’s beloved Son.
The aching soul again made whole,
and priceless pardon won.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
and were the skies of parchment made;
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,
and ev’ryone a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though stretched from sky to sky.
“O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.” ~Frederick Lehman (1917)
Keep me exalting You, God of perfect numbers and numbering, with countless praise.
As the rain and snow 