Thirty-one kings. Each one listed and counted as “one” in Joshua 12:9–24. It might be helpful to read these verses aloud to appreciate the repetition and the cadence. That is what we need to feel as we read these verses; we need to appreciate the scope of the victory God had given His people. A nation of the children of slaves had entered the Promised Land – a choice land with many cities defended by mighty armies – and defeated each enemy that was before them. Thirty-one of them to be precise. But, also to be precise, Israel did not win any of these victories: God had won each one of them through Israel and for Israel. This is what God wanted the people to remember. He wanted them to be able to look back on the conquest and not remember one convoluted victory. He wanted them to remember precisely what He had done to give them the victory – what He had done 31 times. Each fallen king was a testament to God’s power and a reminder of His provision for His people. That is what they would need to remember.

What have you done to record and remember the many victories God has won for you?