My only high school job was at a tuxedo shop. It was fun watching people come in to pick out a tux for their special event, but much to my surprise what was the least favorite of the other staff was actually fun for me---that was taking inventory.

When the manager told the employees, it was time to do inventory, everyone groaned except me. What appeared to others as menial and boring, I thought it necessary in order to be able to assist the customer by providing information on what we had as to prepare them with knowledge to make the best decision.

There are many tedious but necessary task in our adult lives as well. For instance, before making the grocery list we should check the fridge and cabinets to see what we already have in order to know what we need thus helping us stick to the budget.

Oftentimes the task that seem the most menial are the most important in preparing us, giving us knowledge and filling our hearts with hope.

In the first chapter of the book of Numbers, we find God asking Israel to take a census of the people who had come out of slavery in Egypt. “The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, ² “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head. ³ From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them, company by company.” (Numbers 1:1-3).

Gods’ instructions for having the people counted was in preparation for Israel to take the land He had promised them (Canaan). God wanted them to know their military strength and have everyone organized. And as they face this next step that would require great faith, maybe God also wanted them to remember just how many of them He rescued from Egypt.

As I pondered over this passage of scripture, it made me reevaluate if I count my provisions or if I count my problems? There have been times when I counted every frustration, the number of items on my to do list that I didn’t get accomplished and other problems {challenges} in priority over God’s provisions. Have you ever struggled in this area?

Having the people of Israel take stock of their resources was one way God prepared them to appreciate what they had rather than focus on what they didn’t have. It also served as an exercise to grow their faith in Him as He led them into the promised land. We, too, should take inventory of what God has provided as reassurance we are not on this journey alone. Take stock today, praising Him for not only what He’s given but also who He is.

Little did I know the joy of taking inventory at the tuxedo shop would a precursor to me learning to understand the importance of counting provisions and not problems.

PEARLStoPONDER: Lord, help me remember to count what YOU have provided in my life. I want to take stock of what YOU have given me rather than focus on what seems lacking.

Psalm 23:1-- The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Matthew 6:31-32-- Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

Luke 12:24-- Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

Philippians 4:19 -- And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.