Joshua 4 1-3 When the whole nation was finally across, God spoke to Joshua: “Select twelve men from the people, a man from each tribe, and tell them, ‘From right here, the middle of the Jordan where the feet of the priests are standing firm, take twelve stones. Carry them across with you and set them down in the place where you camp tonight.’”
4-7 Joshua called out the twelve men whom he selected from the People of Israel, one man from each tribe. Joshua directed them, “Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Ark of God, your God. Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion. When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Ark of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.’”
8-9 The People of Israel did exactly as Joshua commanded: They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan—a stone for each of the twelve tribes, just as God had instructed Joshua—carried them across with them to the camp, and set them down there. Joshua set up the twelve stones taken from the middle of the Jordan that had marked the place where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant had stood. They are still there today.
10-11 The priests carrying the Ark continued standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything God had instructed Joshua to tell the people to do was done (confirming what Moses had instructed Joshua). The people crossed; no one dawdled. When the crossing of all the people was complete, they watched as the Ark of the Covenant and the priests crossed over.
This is Memorial Day weekend. A time where we pause (or at least we should) to pay tribute to the men and women of our Nation who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, their lives. A time where we pause to revisit our Nations history, the good, the bad and the ugly, our triumphs and our missteps. We pause to remember.
We should also take time to remember the things God has done for us, remember, not dwell in, the past. Remember where He has brought us from and remember who He has always been, not only to us, but to all generations. He says “I am the Lord, and I changeth not” Malachai 3:6 declares. By remembering who God is and what He has done, we stir up our faith and confidence.
The stones of remembrance in Joshua were just that. They were set up to remind God’s people that He brought them through, He provided a way where there was, seemingly, no way.
What “stones” do we need to place in areas and time periods, so that we can recall how He showed up for us? Do we take time to remember ALL He has done, or do we focus on the present circumstances and make monuments to their false power over our lives?
The word “remember” is mentioned in the Bible 240 times. Take time to brand these few verses in your heart this Memorial Day weekend.
Deuteronomy 6:12
Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.Deuteronomy 8:2
And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.1 Corinthians 11:2
Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.Isaiah 46:9
“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”1 Corinthians 11:24
And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”Deuteronomy 32:7
Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them.”John 14:26
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”Proverbs 10:7
The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.Psalm 103:2
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.Psalm 119:55
I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law.Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.Psalm 77:11
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.Revelation 2:5
“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”
When you want to know how you are going to make it through a current season, stop and take a breath. You are still here! You are still breathing! This means He was faithful then and He will be faithful now. He provided then, and He will provide now.
He is faithful.
I was once young and now I am old. But, I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread.
Psalm 37:25
