Numbers 26 records the second census that the Lord commanded Moses to complete.  What is interesting.. to me at least.. is that some of the tribes increased while others were smaller.  Yet the total of men over the age of 20 is fairly close.  The first census had 603,550 and the second was 601,730.  " But there was not a man among them who had also been included in the census..when they had enumerated the people of Israel in the Sinai Desert." Except.. Caleb and Joshua.

God did what He said He would do.

In Chapter 27 the Lord instructs Moses to prepare to "be gathered to your people".  Moses asks one more thing.. "May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation..... that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep that have no shepherd." 
Joshua is chosen and commissioned to lead Israel. " Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your had on him;" 

Another reminder that God has a plan.

Two significant truths that we can stand firm on and be encouraged by today:
God does what He says He will do.. and God always has a plan for what is next!

Father in heaven, You are seated on Your throne, surrounded by saints and angels who are singing in exaltation.  Your radiance and beauty fill the air!  Lightning and thunder and majestic glory bring them all to their faces in worship!  May we receive a glimpse of Your glory, Father!  Uphold the holiness of Your wonderful name! We are so thankful for Your Word. We can stand firmly in Your strength, resisting evil in Your Truth, righteousness, peace, and salvation. We take up the shield of faith and the sword of Your Spirit and we pray... we pray for boldness to make the gospel known. We pray for wisdom to proclaim truth in the way we ought to speak.  We pray that we might be encouraged.  We pray that we might be knit together in love.  "Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant [us] to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; that with one accord [we] may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."  It is in the name of Jesus that  we ask these things. Amen.