SCRIPTURE: Joshua 12
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
These are the kings of the land whom the Israelites had defeated and whose territory they took over east of the Jordan, from the Arnon Gorge to Mount Hermon, including all the eastern side of the Arabah. [Joshua 12:1] This chapter is a list of the defeated kings, identified by name. Joshua is keeping track (score?) of the Lord’s victories. Joshua is recording the victories to remind the generations to follow of how the Lord blessed, helped and protected them as they followed Him. By reviewing this list, we are reminded that God’s work is connected to reality, to day to day people and situations and circumstances. This list is designed to strengthen and stretch the faith of God’s people, and advance His kingdom cause.

Another list of names is presented by Jesus: He appointed twelve–designating them apostles–that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. [Mark 3:14-19] This is not just a boring list of names, it is a record of God’s grace and calling in ordinary peoples’ lives. It is designed to strengthen and stretch our faith, to remind us that the Lord calls all kinds of people to surrender to Him and serve Him.

In both lists of names, we see the Lord’s Name above all of them. It is for the sake of His Name (His kingdom, His will) that those who oppose Him are defeated; and it is for the sake of His Name that those who surrender to Him are deployed! I guess the question for us today is, which list of names will we be found on? The last book of the bible talks about a list of names, and raises this question as well: Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. [Revelation 21:27]

Resist or repent? Those who resist will eventually be defeated; those who repent will eventually be delivered! Reading these lists of names reminds us that we will one day be recorded on a list. Which one?

PRAYER:
Lord, I want to surrender to You, to serve You. I believe that You are God, that You are good, that You are worth obeying! I offer myself to You, at Your service!