Daniel 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

Are you a person who writes and keeps journals? I have a long list of daily writings that I do not maintain. I occasionally go back to read those entries and find myself surprised at what I wrote. It is glimpse at that babe in Christ and what his impressions were. Some of it I can honestly say, who wrote that, surely not me. I’ve changed over the years and I would hope for the better. I would say that much of the innocence or ignorance of those early years is gone but I hope the passion has not.

I selected this passage from Daniel today for only one reason. While it does not deal directly with journals, it does indicate an attitude which I am aware of and need to be cautious about. As a writer of devotionals it is within my ability to relate journal entries as an example of how God has worked in my life. Those examples of the past might help others. It is my ancient history and not current.

The danger for me to avoid is in becoming a journalist. A journalist inserts himself into the story with personal perspectives and deep emotions. Journalist intend to move people, to stir emotions, to help make history as much as report it as it happens. As a servant of God the story cannot be about me.

The passage from Daniel is an example of one person voicing their concerns and by implication of concern is say; “What are we going to do about it?”

Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

I am merely a leaf, I am not the tree.