"that this may be a sign among you; When your children ask in time to come, 'what do those stones mean to you?'; then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."
Joshua 4:6-7
As we follow the story of Joshua leading the nation of Israel to the promised land we come to a very interesting part of the story. The priests were following ahead of the people carrying the ark of the covenant, and as soon as their feet hit the banks of the Jordan River, the water dried up so that all of the nation of Israel could cross over the Jordan and begin to enter into the promised land. This was a wonderful miracle of God's provision and grace for the people of Israel. Just as He did with the Red Sea, God made a way in the lives of the people, when they saw no way. This so often happens in our lives. It is so easy to succumb to our own thoughts of doubt and fear when we face new challenges and trying times in our lives. Our first reaction is often to worry and doubt what the Lord is calling us to do. But, in the case of the Israelites, God had called them to this land, called them to go this area, in fact He promised it to them! And when God calls you to do something He will indeed make a way. Because Joshua knows how quickly we can forgot those things God does in our lifetime, he makes a very wise call. In the scripture above he tells the people to get one person from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to grab a stone out of the bottom of the Jordan, while the water was still held back. He then tells them to place these twelve stones on the edge of the Jordan on the side where they all had just crossed over. The reason for this? So they don't forget! It is so easy to get caught up in the difficult trial or circumstance that we are currently facing that we forget what the Lord has already done in our lives! We forget that the God of the universe has already worked miracles in our lives. Joshua, as a new leader, makes a very great and wise decision to use the stones as a reminder for generations to come that the Lord worked a miracle here at the Jordan River. How do you recall the wonders and miracles that God has and is doing in your life? The healing, the answer to prayers, the making of a way when you saw no way out? I suggest making a prayer journal. This is an easy way to set up your twelve stones! Keep track of what and who you are praying for, so that you can record and go back and see how God is working in your life and the lives of those around you. Today, pause, pray, and reflect. Remember all that God has done for you, and perhaps, start a new habit of making a tangible record of how He will continue to work in your life! Because He promised to never leave you or forsake you! Love you all! Praying for you and yours! Have a blessed day, it's your choice!
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