The world runs on numbers.

Dates. Times. Money. Measurements. Scores. Speed limits.

Numbers help us to organize our days and stay rooted in reality. They add context, provide proof, and set standards.

In my career as a marketing and communications professional, numbers are especially crucial to track performance, evaluate impact, and determine success. And while I tend to “geek out on the numbers,” as I like to say, I also believe it’s possible to become too reliant on quantitative analysis and miss the positive outcomes that can’t be measured in a traditional way.

King David Takes a Census

Recently, I read 2 Samuel 24 (and 1 Chronicles 21) as part of The Bible Recap reading plan. Within these chapters, David, King of Israel, decides to conduct a census for the entire nation, which makes God angry.

This was not my first time reading 2 Samuel 24, and I’d previously assumed God was displeased because David didn’t ask for permission or consult Him before taking the census—which, no doubt is true. However, something Tara-Leigh Cobble shared The Bible Recap video on these chapters made me pause. To paraphrase, Tara-Leigh suggested that David disobeyed God because tried to put his trust in numbers instead of trusting God.

God’s Promise to David

In 2 Samuel 7:8-16 (NLT), we see God’s promise to David and his family.

⁸ “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. ⁹ I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! ¹⁰ And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, ¹¹ starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! ¹² For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. ¹³ He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. ¹⁴ I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. ¹⁵ But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. ¹⁶ Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”

Even prior to this promise, David had witnessed God’s deliverance and provision in seemingly impossible situations. David saw God defeat enemies far too large for his own armies. He understood that his own strength and power and success came from God and God alone.

Yet, David was also human. He dealt with pride. He had his own agenda. He wanted his way. He sometimes forgot to rely on God. And don’t we all?

Finding Confidence in God

After reading these verses and listening to The Bible Recap, I made a list of “numbers” I find myself looking to for confidence and validation instead of looking to God.

As I mentioned, I am a very analytical person by nature. On top of that, my professional work in marketing has programmed my brain to determine the value of a project—or people on a team—based on quantitative performance metrics.

Because that part of my life is so driven by data, I have to be VERY careful around numbers in my personal pursuits—especially knowing how easily I tend to fixate on them. For me, being careful means constantly laying down my idea of success for everything from this blog, my podcast, and my book sales, to social media followers and engagement.

In my heart, I know that numbers don’t define my value or worth. Only God can do that, and He’s made it clear that I don’t need to perform to earn love, grace, or anything He freely gives. I also know that we are each made in the image of God. We are part of His creation and He calls us good—not because of anything we’ve achieved or produced, but because God values the fact that you and I exist.

Even with a heart knowledge of this truth, it’s easy to forget and focus on numbers the world deems important. Here are just a few examples that came to mind for me. I’m sure you can think of others.

• Finances, salary, and net worth
• Years of experience in a profession
• Ratings and reviews
• Home size or property value
• Age, height, and weight
• Grades in school or test scores

Right now, I encourage you to make your own list. Think long and hard about the numbers in your life that tend to guide your thoughts, emotions, decisions, and actions.

And then, give that list to God. Every single day.

I’m over here doing the exact same thing.