My Forgetter
Joshua 24
As we come to the end of the book of Joshua, Joshua is nearing the end of his life here on earth. Joshua gathers the people and tells them that though they have accomplished much in conquering the Promised Land, it was God who led them and gave them the victories. In Chapter 23:14 he tells the people that not one word of God’s promises to them have failed.
As I look back over my walk with the Lord I can say the same thing although I may not remember everything. You see, I have a good forgetter. Maybe I am just busy or at times overwhelmed but for whatever reason, I get so caught up in the problems of the moment that I forget what God has done in the past. It is in these times that doubts seem to attack and I wonder where God is. I suspect I am not the only one who has to deal with these feelings.
Come to think of it, that reminds me that Elijah must have had a good forgetter as well. Elijah had accomplished much for the Lord. He called for three and a half years of drought and all through that drought God provided for him. Then he dealt with the idolatry of Israel and the prophets of Baal, but when Jezebel threatened his life his forgetter kicked in. He lost his anchor and he ran all the way to Mt Sinai. Mt Sinai was where the people made their commitment to God and the Word of God was given to them. There Elijah encountered God and God asked him what he was doing there. Elijah related his fears and discouragement. God makes His presence known to Elijah but not in the drama of strong winds, mountains crumbling, earthquakes, or fire, but in a gentle breeze. 1 Kings 19
With all that was going on Elijah forgot God was in control. Life had become overwhelming and his forgetter was isolating him from reality. When we forget that God is in control we tend to take control. That is when our lives begin to get out of control.
In Chapter 24 Joshua gathers the people together and reminds them of what God has done for them by reciting what God said. In the first 13 verses I counted 16 things God said he did preferenced with the letter “I”. I suspect the people had good forgetters as well but God has a good reminder. I am grateful for that because we need to be reminded from time to time in our busyness of all that God has done for us.
There are several things we can do to help disable our forgetter. At the top of the list is to hang out with God. Certainly going to church and Bible studies are a good way to hang out with God if our mind and heart are seeking Him. Another way is to just stop and meditate on the goodness of God. I find in those quiet moments that the reminders will come if I will just wait upon Him. It is interesting that in those quiet moments He gives me ears to hear Him. I like to also keep a journal of the Lord's blessings and of the scriptures that spoke to me in my devotions that met a need for that day.
In verse 15 Joshua challenges the people, and us, to choose who they are going to serve. That is really the core problem. When we forget that we serve God and take control the byproduct of that is our forgetter kicks into overdrive.
Joshua finishes verse 15 with, “But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord” NASB
The best way to disable our forgetter is to remember who we serve.
Who do you serve?
Pastor Dave