Joshua 12:17-24: a reflection

17the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; 18the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lassharon, one; 19the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; 20the king of Shimron Meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; 21the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; 22the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; 23the king of Dor in the height of Dor, one; the king of Goiim in Gilgal, one; 24the king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty-one.

This passage is a list, a record of the kings Israel defeated in taking the land, thirty-one of them, named one by one. To us it reads as a dry catalog; but it is, in effect, a record of God's victories, each one noted, a tally of what God had done in giving Israel the land. Rather than letting the victories blur together or be forgotten, the account records them one by one, a lasting testimony to God's faithfulness in giving the land.

Notice what this list really is: a record of God's faithfulness, victory by victory. Each king defeated represented a battle in which God had given Israel the victory; and rather than letting these blur into a vague sense that things had gone well, the account records them individually, thirty-one of them, a concrete tally of what God had done. It is a testimony, kept and written down, so that God's victories would be remembered, one by one, and not forgotten.

That practice, of recording God's faithfulness victory by victory, is worth imitating. We can let God's kindnesses and deliverances blur together, or be forgotten, retaining only a vague sense that God has been good; and so we lose the concrete memory of what he has done. But this account records God's victories one by one, keeping them before the people as a testimony. Keep your own record of God's faithfulness, noting his kindnesses and deliverances one by one, rather than letting them blur or be forgotten. A concrete tally of what God has done, remembered and even written down, is a testimony that strengthens faith and stirs gratitude. Do not let God's faithfulness to you be forgotten in a vague blur; count his victories and kindnesses one by one, as this account counted Israel's, keeping a record of God's faithfulness that you can return to, remember, and give thanks for.

Lord, this passage is a record of the kings Israel defeated in taking the land, thirty-one of them named one by one; a tally of your victories, each noted, a lasting testimony to your faithfulness in giving the land. Show me what this list really is: a record of your faithfulness, victory by victory, kept so that your victories would be remembered and not forgotten. Let that practice be something I imitate. I can let your kindnesses and deliverances blur together, or be forgotten, retaining only a vague sense that you have been good; and so I lose the concrete memory of what you have done. But this account records your victories one by one, keeping them before the people as a testimony. Help me keep my own record of your faithfulness, noting your kindnesses and deliverances one by one, rather than letting them blur or be forgotten. A concrete tally of what you have done, remembered and even written down, is a testimony that strengthens faith and stirs gratitude. Do not let your faithfulness to me be forgotten in a vague blur; help me count your victories and kindnesses one by one, as this account counted Israel's, keeping a record of your faithfulness that I can return to, remember, and give thanks for, Lord.