1000: Big For Us. Small For God.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2046:1&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter+3:8&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+105:8&version=NIV1984

1000.  That’s a big number.  Maybe not when compared to 1,000,000.  Or to 100,000.  Or even 10,000.  But it’s a lot compared to 1.  Or 100.  To put into perspective just how much 1000 is, try doing 1000 push ups.  Or 1000 sit ups.  Or preparing a 1000 meals. (At 3 meals per day that would take 11 months.)  Or reading 1000 pages.  (At 20 pages per day it would take 50 days, or pretty close to 2 months.)  Or putting 1000 dollar bills in our wallet or purse.  Yes, for us humans, 1000 is a big number.  A really big number.

Since 1000 is a very big number, we often use it to express the idea of ‘many’ or ‘without number’.  For example, we say such things as “I must have closed that door 1000 times today!”  Or, “I think I’ve heard my name called 1000 times today!”  Certainly we don’t mean a literal 1000.  We just mean a lot.  And 1000 is a lot.

A week or so ago when reading my devotional the author said that we should try to live above our problems.  That we ought to attempt to continuously live in the Presence of Jesus.  That when we find ourselves sinking in the sea of circumstances we should cry ‘Help me, Jesus!’.  And He will help us.  Even if we have to do it 1000 times a day.  There’s that number again.  In other words, it doesn’t matter how many times we need to call upon Jesus.  We can call upon Him an unlimited amount of times.  And He will always answer.  He won’t get mad.  Or complain.  Or refuse to come to our aid.  That’s pretty sweet when we stop and think about it.

This just goes to underscore the difference between us and Jesus.  Yes, if our children call our name 1000 times in a day our ears will fall off!  And we will probably change our name!  Or if we have 1000 interruptions in a given day, we will give up.  We won’t get anything done.  Because 1000 is an overwhelming number.  But not for Jesus.  Call on Him for help 1000 times in one day?  No problem!  He can handle it.  Easily.

So if you find yourself falling into that same old sin, confess it to Jesus.  1000 times a day if you have to.  If your mind starts to worry or go places it shouldn’t go, call out to Jesus.  1000 times if you have to.  If you need strength for the day, wisdom for the future, or comfort over the loss of a loved one, call out to Jesus.  1000 times a day if you have to.  He understands.  He will answer.  Every single time.  Because 1000 is nothing to Him.  You, on the other had, are everything to Him!

Lord, I confess that there are times when I fail You 1000 times.  In a single day.  There are other times when I need Your help 1000 times.  In a single day.  I am glad that I can always come to You.  For anything that I need.  As often as I need to.  Even 1000 times.  With the same request.  You never get impatient.  Or angry.  You want me to come to You.  1000 times, if necessary.  Oh how wonderfully patient You are!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.