Remembering

Joshua 4: 20-24

Then Joshua set up in Gilgal the 12 stones they had taken from the Jordan, and he said to the Israelites, “When your children ask their fathers in the future, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ you should tell your children, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea., which He dried up before us until we had crossed over. This is so that all the people of the earth may know that the LORD’s hand is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.”

After wandering for 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites were finally about to enter the Promised Land. Many of their parents and grandparents had died in the wilderness, and those who survived would have to fight Jericho on the other side. They were simply moving forward in God’s promise of a land He would give them to be their own. There was just one problem. They somehow had to cross the dirty, murky Jordan River and find a way to carry the Ark of the Covenant safely with them.

God was with the Israelites, and He had given Joshua a strategy which would require divine intervention. When they went as far as they could in the Jordan River, God would cause the waters to stand up as He did with the Red Sea and allow them to cross on dry ground. The good thing is that they had seen this happen before. But could they trust it would happen again? They really had no choice. They could either start crossing the Jordan or die in the wilderness as their ancestors did. At Joshua’s instruction, they consecrated themselves to the LORD and moved forward to see their miracle.

After getting across safely, Joshua instructed 12 of the men to go back into the Jordan and bring out a stone. At Gilgal Joshua constructed a memorial with the 12 stones to remind future generations that God was with them and intervened for them to safely cross the Jordan River. It was a reminder that God’s hand is mighty, and we should live in reverent fear of Him. Nothing is impossible with God!

We live in trying times when it seems like only a miracle from God will save us. I challenge you today to consecrate yourself before God, move forward in what He has called you to do, and remember how He has helped you so far. You may have suffered defeat or even watched a loved one die in the wilderness with unfulfilled dreams. God still works miracles, and the stones of remembrance of what He has brought you through are proof of His plan and purpose in fulfilling your promise.

This Memorial Day weekend may we remember those who died for our country so we might enjoy the freedoms we have today. May we remember how God has helped us as a country thus far. May we also remember where God has intervened and brought us through our personal battles. Remembering what He has done in the past will help equip us for whatever battle may lie ahead.

Have a blessed day!