He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Genesis 15:5.

Yesterday the Earth marked a milestone. 8 billion people. Can you imagine? Can you count each one?

In Numbers 1, a fitting place to be today in lieu of the counting of 8 billion yesterday, not only did God instruct Moses to take a census, but He even told Moses the names of the head of each tribe v. 4-15. The total number of men aged 20 and up that could serve in the army were 603,550. The tribe of Levi was not counted as their work was the tabernacle of the covenant law v. 47-53. In the listing of the tribes, Joseph had 2 branches counted: Ephraim and Manasseh, his sons descendants.

As I was praying this morning I saw each one of our adult kids so clearly. God sees each person so clearly and knows them intimately. He knew the name of every head of each tribe, even the hairs on their head and their hearts and minds. He knows you and me just as well. Can you imagine? I get overwhelmed imagining 8 billion people and individuals can’t possibly figure in that vast number. Yet, God intended all along for each one…count the stars if indeed you can…so shall your offspring be…He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:4-5.

The challenge for us today, all 8 billion and counting, is do we trust God? The Israelites, the people, are being made ready to enter into the Promised Land…into trust in God. In a greater sense, so are we. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:8-10. The faith chapter, Hebrews 11, commends those who were faithful in their times. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40.

As I read Scripture, I read about those who went before us. Their lives are written as an admonition but even more as a witness that God sees and knows every single one of us. Our lives are being written as well. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. Revelation 20:12.

How many of us will there be then? Can you count the stars? Do you know their names? Our Creator God can. He is our Promised Land and He is preparing us. Trust Him. He knows the way!