Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. All Scripture is given by inspiration
of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness. Since we believe that the Bible
is the verbally inspired Word of God, which is recorded for
the benefit of God's people, then we are certain that there
are no insignificant numbers found within its pages. Yet we
are not convinced that any man has ever arrived at a complete
understanding of them. While much can be gained by a
study of these numbers, one can easily become enamored with the
intricacies of them and begin seeing numerical secrets under
every rock and in every hair of the horse's tail. If a study
of biblical numbers does not lead us to fall upon our faces
and worship the One who is the sum and substance of all prophecy,
then we have missed their significance and are merely repeating words
without profit. The psalmist was overwhelmed
with the grandeur and majesty of the Lord's perfections, and
declared that he was unable to number them. Many, O Lord, my
God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy
thoughts which are to usward. They cannot be reckoned up in
order unto thee. If I would declare and speak
of them, they are more than can be numbered. My mouth shall show
forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day, for I
know not the numbers thereof. The very existence of numbers
testifies to the unfolding of the purpose of an absolute sovereign.
Numbers are precise. 2 plus 2 equals 4. Not almost
4, but exactly. So in all things God ordains
whatsoever comes to pass, and the sum of His purpose can be
seen demonstrated in the unfolding of all events. Job refers to
God's predestination of all things when he said, Doth not he see
my ways, and count all my steps? Solomon spoke of the same thing,
saying, A man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth
his steps. Jeremiah said, O Lord, I know
that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man that
walketh to direct his steps. There are no random steps taken
in this world by man or beast, but all are numbered by him who
knows the end from the beginning. The Lord Jesus said, Even the
very hairs of your head are all numbered. The bounds of our habitation
and the length of our days are set by him. Seeing his days are
determined, the number of his months are with thee. Thou hast
appointed his bounds that he cannot pass. Therefore we are
moved to say with the psalmist, so teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Yet the greatest
of all mention of numbers in the scriptures is in Isaiah's
prophecy. He had poured out his soul unto
death, and he was numbered with the transgressors. And he bared
the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Oh, who
can count the magnitude of this event? For he hath made him to
be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness
of God in him. He has imputed, that is, accounted,
his righteousness to his elect, even while he did take upon himself
their sin, and counted every jot and tittle of the broken
law as his own. At the appointed time, not one
day before nor one day after the day he had numbered, he did
come into the world to fulfill the purpose for which he created
it. that he might demonstrate the glory of his grace and his
everlasting love of his chosen bride in effecting her redemption
by the offering up of himself once and for all. We find these
mathematics in the scriptures. Addition, now of the things which
we have spoken, this is the sum. We have such a high priest who
is set on the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heavens.
How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is
the sum of them! If I should count them, they
are more in number than the sand. When I awake, I am still with
thee. Then we see subtraction. And ye know that he was manifested
to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. For this is my
covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins. The rebuke
of his people shall he take away from off all the earth, for the
Lord hath spoken it. And then we see division. He
shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied.
By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many. for he
shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a
portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the
strong. And finally, we see multiplication. Grace and peace be multiplied
unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found. Call ye upon him while
he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way
and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord.
And he will have mercy upon him and to our God, for he will abundantly
pardon. Have you counted your blessings
today? If you would like a free transcript of this broadcast,
email us at forthepoor at windstream.net