Joshua 4:1-7 – “Now when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 ” Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.'” 4 So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them, ” Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel. 6 ” Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So, these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.” NASB

God was bringing Israel into the “Promised Land” after their long (in reference to time) journey from Egypt to Canaan.  Moses is dead and Joshua has accepted the mantle of leadership given him by God. 

It is here, as they prepare to cross over into the Place of Promise that Joshua gives this directive that can be used by each of us today.  He had them take 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan River and make a memorial on the Canaan side of Jordan as a “continual reminder” of God’s ability, willingness, faithfulness, and fulfillment of His promises – His Covenant!  This was to be something that when future generations came and saw the stones piled up, they could ask what they represented and hear the testimony of God’s Faithfulness and Covenant Keeping!

It would be well for each of us to have “memorials” to remind us of God’s faithfulness and covenant-keeping.  I have numerous things in my life that are just that.  I have scars on my body that every time I look in the mirror I am reminded of God’s faithfulness, goodness, grace, and love.  I see the scar around my throat where I had surgery for Parathyroid cancer and am reminded of God’s healing power.  There are many others but that one is something I see every day and it brings me to tears every time I think about it.  God has been so good to me and not because I deserved it but because of His great love, mercy, and grace.

When used to visit my mother in East Texas I would drive by the church where I was introduced to Jesus as my personal savior and rejoice as I would drive by, I would remember!  I look at some pictures from Viet Nam and the hardware that I brought home and am reminded of God’s power to keep me alive in the face of danger. 

When I look at pictures of me when I was less than 2 years old, I am reminded of the great love that my dad had for me in moving me from Pasadena to East Texas where I got well.  The doctors had told my parents repeatedly that I would never live to see Junior High School and probably not even Elementary school.  Yet, God’s grace, mercy, love, and power said otherwise.

When I pick up my Bible each day, I am reminded of the great love that God has for each of us, and it never fails to bring tears to my eyes, and I sit silently and rejoice that God is my God!  I have many memorials that continually remind me of where I could have been and where I am and the reason behind it.

So, as you consider your situation be reminded that God is more than able to resolve anything that you face and if others involved do not choose to allow that to happen, He will provide the grace to endure.  God’s love is unconditional.  So, as you face this day, face it with a renewed confidence that He will never leave you nor forsake you! 

May the Blessings of God cover you like a glove and may His Peace keep you in Hope!