Joshua 4:21-22  He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’

I need reminders. About forty years ago the personal digital assistant was invented and I wanted one! I immediately saw how this device could really help me. But, alas, I had to wait. Eventually my iPhone became my PDA and I use reminders all the time! I almost never forget appointments or tasks! But I need other reminders. Reminders of more important things. I have reminders of vacations. I have reminders of people. What about reminders of God?

The Israelites were finally entering the Promised Land. The Jordan was the last barrier and it was in flood stage! But Joshua gathered the people with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and instructed them to step into the river. With great courage and faith, they did, and the Jordan stopped flowing! They were able to cross into the land!

But God was thinking ahead! (Doesn’t He always?!) He instructed Joshua to tell them to get twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan and build a monument. It was a reminder that they crossed into the land by the grace of God. God was preparing for their children and providing a visual prompt to cause questions with God in the answers.

Do we do this? Shouldn’t we? We should create memorials in some way that commemorate God’s work in our lives or in the lives of our families or churches. Memorials that will prompt questions that have God in the answers. Not only will this be a blessing to future generations, it will be a reminder to us.

Things may be going well right now. But as much as I hate to say it, there will likely be rough patches in the future. When those difficult times come, we can have memorials to remind us that God was with us ‘when’ and He will be with us again! Our memorials will likely not be made of large stones! They might be more like a notebook or photo album. But whatever form they take, they can serve to remind us of all those times that God worked in our lives, too!

Blessings,

Pastor Russ