Memorial Stones
Read Joshua 4:1-7
From birthstones to gravestones, diamond rings to marble statues, humankind has used stones from time immemorial to mark significant life passages: births, deaths, engagements, victory in war, monuments to great people. What is it that makes stones such perfect material for the job? They're durable, slow to age, solid and often very beautiful. Stones symbolize a permanence reaching byond our short human life spans.
God knows that we need tangible reminders of our encounters with him. No matter how life-changing an event may be, our memories cannnot always retain the impact. We forget. And we forget to tell our children. A spiritual heritage can be washed away. This is why God instructed Joshua, Israel's leader, to build a memorial of stones when God piled up the waters of the Jordan so that the Israelites could walk across the dry riverbed, just as he had parted the waters of the Red Sea. The memorial was to be a visible reminder that he would lead their children across a sea of obstacles for generations to come.
Consider where God directed Joshua to get the stones from-not the river shallows or banks, but from the middle of the Jordan where the priests stood with the ark of the covenant. It was a picture of the presence of God in the depths, among his people. Once-submerged stones were brought to the riverbank and set up as a memorial.
What are you facing today? Whatever the challenge, do you believe that God can part the deep and flowing waters? Take a moment and ask God to reveal his presence and power. Then find some sort of "stone" (something concrete-a literal rock, a photograph, a note from a friend) to serve as a visual remdiner of God's power to intervene in your journey. Build a monument in your yard or in your house or on your desk-and in your heart. Use this monument as a reminder of this moment, both for you and for generations to come. God cares deeply that you remember his goodness and pass those memories on to the next generation.
**This was the devotion I read yesterday afternoon while at work. Pretty cool, huh? And then I got home from work and had a card from someone on my women's ministry team...it was a real encouragement!! God knew what He was doing when He had me reading that devotion yesterday!!! And then today I got a wonderful letter from my best friend that will definitely be a part of my "memorial." I think sometimes we need those reminders of the people and things God has put in our lives to help us through our journey with him!!!**
Read Joshua 4:1-7
From birthstones to gravestones, diamond rings to marble statues, humankind has used stones from time immemorial to mark significant life passages: births, deaths, engagements, victory in war, monuments to great people. What is it that makes stones such perfect material for the job? They're durable, slow to age, solid and often very beautiful. Stones symbolize a permanence reaching byond our short human life spans.
God knows that we need tangible reminders of our encounters with him. No matter how life-changing an event may be, our memories cannnot always retain the impact. We forget. And we forget to tell our children. A spiritual heritage can be washed away. This is why God instructed Joshua, Israel's leader, to build a memorial of stones when God piled up the waters of the Jordan so that the Israelites could walk across the dry riverbed, just as he had parted the waters of the Red Sea. The memorial was to be a visible reminder that he would lead their children across a sea of obstacles for generations to come.
Consider where God directed Joshua to get the stones from-not the river shallows or banks, but from the middle of the Jordan where the priests stood with the ark of the covenant. It was a picture of the presence of God in the depths, among his people. Once-submerged stones were brought to the riverbank and set up as a memorial.
What are you facing today? Whatever the challenge, do you believe that God can part the deep and flowing waters? Take a moment and ask God to reveal his presence and power. Then find some sort of "stone" (something concrete-a literal rock, a photograph, a note from a friend) to serve as a visual remdiner of God's power to intervene in your journey. Build a monument in your yard or in your house or on your desk-and in your heart. Use this monument as a reminder of this moment, both for you and for generations to come. God cares deeply that you remember his goodness and pass those memories on to the next generation.
**This was the devotion I read yesterday afternoon while at work. Pretty cool, huh? And then I got home from work and had a card from someone on my women's ministry team...it was a real encouragement!! God knew what He was doing when He had me reading that devotion yesterday!!! And then today I got a wonderful letter from my best friend that will definitely be a part of my "memorial." I think sometimes we need those reminders of the people and things God has put in our lives to help us through our journey with him!!!**
Comments