Remembering the Victories

Text: Joshua 12 Theme: Joshua lists all the kings of the lands the Israelites had conquered. Key verses: “These are the kings of the land whom the Isralelites had defeated and whose territory they took over east of the Jordan…” (v. 1a) “Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the Israelistes conquered them. And Moses…gave their land to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manesseh to be theri possession. These are the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan…” (v. 6-7) “thirty-one kings in all.” (v. 24) What God said to me: Dwayne, first of all, welcome back. This is the place I want you to be the most – sitting at my feet, listening and meditating on my words, writing down what I show you and your response. Dwayne, you must be careful to beat your body and bring it into submission, lest after you have preached to and taught others you yourself should become a castaway of the faith. Stay with this journaling. No matter how tired or busy or uninterested or distracted or lazy you may feel, don’t let your written, ample time with me slide. Remember Matthew 6:33! Seek me in private and I will reward you in public. The principle is simple and unchanging. I will multiply your production time if you prioritize quality, expectant time with me… Now, regarding this chapter. It was important for Joshua to put in writing every single victory over every king and land. People forget quickly. Facts and details become blurred over time. For their children and their grandchildren, for both themselves and for all of us to come, Joshua knew he had to take time to get the facts straight and down on scroll. He was accurate, specific and to the point. Where is the lesson for you, my son? From time to time, it a good and healthy practice for you to write down your victories and revisit them occasionally. There would be more fearful and doubting times for the Israelites in the years to come. Imagine the encouragement they could draw from reading about these great victories of their past. So it is with you. I have brought many good days of victory to you. Write them down. Tuck them away, and pull them out on those rainy days when it seems I have forgotten you or you are feeling defeated or discouraged. What I said to God: Thank you, Father, for meeting with me this morning. Thank you for never giving up on me. Forgive me for not prioritizing my journaling. Also, I know I must deliberately witness for You every day and every week. Grant me an open door today.