Read Joshua 10:29-12:24
After
the five kings were killed, the author of Joshua lists a long summary of the
kingdoms conquered, and the kings who were killed. These lists aren't empty
bragging. They a historical records that serve a vital function for Jews and
Christians alike. They are a record of what God brought about through an flawed
but obedient Israel under the command of Joshua.
Maybe you're not like me. I tend to forget what God has done in my life. I either forget or downplay what I've done. It's all about what God has done in my life, or what I have done lately. If more than 48 hours has passed, it just doesn't have the impact it should. Having dealt with other people, and having worked for nearly thirty five years, I suspect more people, and most companies, are like me. If you didn't do it today, you owe it to me, or to the company, to perform. Just what the "it" is varies from person to person, of course, but the reality is that very likely, God, others, or you never manage to do quite enough, often enough, or recently enough.
That's why we need lists like these, to remind us of those things we tend to forget. It's the reason for keeping a journal. I know people who groan at the mention of the word "journal." The idea of taking time daily to write in publishable, grammatically correct, perfectly spelled words and sentences is torture. They think they have to be Ralph Waldo Emerson writing in his cabin. No one has to. A journal can be daily essays. It can be weekly or monthly essays. It can be a list of what you ate and how much, your weight however often you weigh yourself, your "to do" list, a prayer list, your prayers written out, or any other record of events that you maintain.
Keeping a journal is a discipline, but it's a discipline that reaps rewards. When I kept track of what and how much I ate, I lost weight. When I kept track of how far I walked, I walked. Records hold me accountable to myself. They are a health checkup for whatever you're trying to do or to be. By recording your prayers or prayer requests, you can see what prayers have been answered and what prayers have not. If they're not being answered, you can seek God's help in understanding why not. More importantly, by writing your prayers or your prayer requests, you can see where God is saying "yes." Journaling lets you make your own list of victories and defeats, so when you start thinking God hasn't done anything for you or to you, you can look back and realize that you need to pray about your spiritual myopia.
Maybe you're not like me. I tend to forget what God has done in my life. I either forget or downplay what I've done. It's all about what God has done in my life, or what I have done lately. If more than 48 hours has passed, it just doesn't have the impact it should. Having dealt with other people, and having worked for nearly thirty five years, I suspect more people, and most companies, are like me. If you didn't do it today, you owe it to me, or to the company, to perform. Just what the "it" is varies from person to person, of course, but the reality is that very likely, God, others, or you never manage to do quite enough, often enough, or recently enough.
That's why we need lists like these, to remind us of those things we tend to forget. It's the reason for keeping a journal. I know people who groan at the mention of the word "journal." The idea of taking time daily to write in publishable, grammatically correct, perfectly spelled words and sentences is torture. They think they have to be Ralph Waldo Emerson writing in his cabin. No one has to. A journal can be daily essays. It can be weekly or monthly essays. It can be a list of what you ate and how much, your weight however often you weigh yourself, your "to do" list, a prayer list, your prayers written out, or any other record of events that you maintain.
Keeping a journal is a discipline, but it's a discipline that reaps rewards. When I kept track of what and how much I ate, I lost weight. When I kept track of how far I walked, I walked. Records hold me accountable to myself. They are a health checkup for whatever you're trying to do or to be. By recording your prayers or prayer requests, you can see what prayers have been answered and what prayers have not. If they're not being answered, you can seek God's help in understanding why not. More importantly, by writing your prayers or your prayer requests, you can see where God is saying "yes." Journaling lets you make your own list of victories and defeats, so when you start thinking God hasn't done anything for you or to you, you can look back and realize that you need to pray about your spiritual myopia.
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