Joshua: Entering God's Promised LandSample

Photographs, either in a scrapbook or on a social media feed, remind us of the events and everyday joys we don’t want to forget. Souvenirs on a shelf can be a talking point, allowing us to share our adventures with others. Memorials such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day make sure we don’t forget what generations past have accomplished for us.

In an era before photographs and sparkly souvenirs, the ancient nation of Israel had stones. They weren’t carved stones. They had no writing on them. They simply stood in two rows. They are still standing today.

When you look at them, you can see they are clearly not there by accident. Nature didn’t put them there. So the obvious question is: why are they here this way?

The people of Israel had an answer ready when their children asked. The answer is the same today: this is where God performed a miracle. He stopped the flood waters of the river so that all of Israel, with livestock in tow, could cross on dry ground. “He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” (Joshua 4:24

We don’t pile up stones as memorials in our everyday lives, but what has the Lord done in your life that you want to remember? What do you want to remember so that you can tell others, “I am a life changed by Christ!” Write it down. Make a video. Commemorate it in some way so that in the years ahead, you can look back and say, “This is what the Lord has done. He is powerful, and I worship him.”

Pray: Dear God, you are mighty and powerful! I can list the many things you have done in my own life. Help me to remember that you are always faithful. Amen.