My Yes Is on the Table: A 5-Day Study on Surrender by Jennifer HandSample

Sometimes, when I say yes to God, I can have some expectations for Him. I expect the most direct path to the promise. I can want quick, not slow. I can desire near, not far. But God. God knows our hearts. He knew the hearts of the Israelite people.

He knew their fears might tempt them to want to return to the comfort of Egypt.

Proverbs 3:5–6 is such a powerful reminder for me in those moments when I want to take the quick path to the promise, or I want to take the near when God’s direction feels like the far. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

I wonder how the Israelites felt when they looked at the Jordan River. They had heard of the Red Sea parting for their parents’ generation, but they had not experienced anything like it themselves. Stepping into the water took some faith steps. Some trust in the God who had provided manna in their wilderness wanderings. As we studied in Joshua chapter 3, they did it. The priests went first, carrying the ark of the presence of God, and the rest followed. On dry ground.

They had already come through the obstacle, and God calls twelve men to go back—to go back into the water right there in the middle of it and grab a memorial stone. I wonder if they had a hard time finding volunteers to want to go back into that water. The Lord knew they needed a reminder. Something for them to look upon and remember the faithfulness of God.

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. (Josh. 4:6–7)

What miracles have you seen God in your past? The same God who was faithful in our past is working now and has already prepared our next miracle.

What are your stones of remembrance?