My Bible reading finds me in Numbers these days. I have read it a few times in my life, and I do remember leafing through it as a young girl, looking for names for my stuffed animals and my future children!
The thing that stood out to me this time as I read through Chapter 1 was Moses' obedience to God. God spoke to Moses at a specific time and gave him a very labor-intensive task, to "take a census of the whole Israelite community." (1:2) We know that at the end of the census, the number of males aged 20 or older who were able to serve in the army, and who were LISTED BY NAME, ONE BY ONE, was 603,550.
Think about Moses. He didn't ask to be the leader for the Israelites. He didn't even feel qualified. (Ex.3:11) And he did make some big mistakes and whine and complain along the way.
But Moses was obedient. The day that God called him to do the census, he began to do it. Imagine what could have gone through his mind. He knew how big the Israelite family was! He knew how they sometimes grumbled and disobeyed. He knew that this would take a long time to complete.
But again, Moses was obedient. He got to work. And, he completed the task. I also think about Noah. He was in the same situation; God asked him to do something even more time-consuming. Build an ark - and then go and find two of every animal and put them inside!
God knows our limitations. He knows we are but dust. Yet He calls us to do great things because He who called us is faithful, and He will do it! He will equip us for the tasks that He asks us to do. We only need to be sure of one thing...
Obedience. Am I willing to do what God asks? Will I be faithful to complete it? We often don't know the end result of our obedience, but the One who sees the end from the beginning does know. And He knows the reasons that He invites us to join His work. That should give us the confidence to get to work.