When Counting Becomes Distrusting

By Romina Chevren

“Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.’ So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, ‘Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.’ But Joab replied to the king, ‘May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?’ The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel.”—2 Samuel 24:1–4 (NIV)

At first glance, this passage may seem like a simple military decision. David, now a seasoned king, instructs his commanders to take a census of Israel’s fighting men. But as the story unfolds, we realize this was no ordinary administrative act. It was a spiritual misstep—one that would carry painful consequences.

Why was taking a census such a serious offense? The answer lies not in the act itself, but in the motivation behind it. God had always been Israel’s strength, their defender, and their source of victory. Time and again, He had proven that He didn’t need large numbers to bring great deliverance. From Gideon’s 300 men defeating the Midianites to David’s own victory over Goliath, Israel’s story was built on God’s strength—not human might.

But here, David begins to shift his confidence. He wants to “know how many there are.” He wants to see the numbers. He wants measurable security. In other words, David starts placing his trust in the size of his army instead of the strength of his God.

Joab, his military commander (and not often the voice of wisdom), even tries to stop him. He doesn’t fully understand the spiritual implications, but he senses that something’s wrong. “Why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?” Joab pleads. But David insists, and the census begins.

This moment offers a sobering lesson for us. Like David, we may not openly reject God, but we slowly, subtly start putting our trust in what we can measure. We look at bank accounts, social media followers, job titles, or numbers on a scale. We begin to count to feel secure.

We think, “If I just had this much, I’d be okay.” And before long, our sense of safety is rooted in our own resources rather than God's presence.

David’s census was essentially an act of spiritual forgetfulness—forgetting that God’s the One who raises up and brings down. Forgetting that Israel's victories were never won by numbers, but by obedience and faith.

We live in a world obsessed with data and results. Counting isn’t wrong in itself. But when we start using numbers to replace faith, we risk turning our trust inward instead of upward—just like David.

But the good news is that God didn’t abandon David. As the rest of the chapter reveals, God would deal with David’s disobedience, but He would also show mercy. David, to his credit, would repent deeply and return his heart to God. And through that brokenness, God would continue to work out His purposes.

So, what about us? Have we been counting when we should be trusting? Have we placed our confidence in what we can see, manage, or control instead of remembering that our help comes from the Lord?

God’s inviting us back—not to ignore reality, but to view our lives through the lens of faith and not fear. Like Joab asked David, the question comes to us, too: “Why do you want to do such a thing?” What are we counting, and what are we hoping the numbers will give us?

Pause: Take a quiet moment with the Lord.

• Are you looking to numbers—money, success, followers, likes, goals—for a sense of control or worth?
• Is there an area of your life where fear is causing you to rely on your own strength instead of God’s promises?

Ask God to reveal where your trust may have shifted from Him to something else, even unintentionally.

Practice: Simple Step Today:

1. Name the thing you're tempted to "count." Write it down. Maybe it's income, opportunities, job offers, progress, achievements.
2. Surrender it in prayer: “Lord, I’ve been measuring my value/safety/success by this. But today, I release it back to You. Help me trust You more than I trust the numbers.”
3. Replace counting with praise. Every time today you’re tempted to track or measure something for peace of mind, pause and thank God for one way He’s been faithful instead.

Trust grows when we choose worship over worry and faith over formulas.

Pray: Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve looked to numbers for security instead of trusting You. I confess I’ve sometimes placed more hope in what I can control than in Your promises. Help me remember that You’re my strength and my defender. Teach me to walk by faith, not by sight—and to find my peace in Your presence, not in my own plans. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.