Focal Passage: Joshua 3:14-4:9
Have you ever kept something that helps you remember a special moment in your life? Perhaps you have saved a child’s handprint from Mother’s Day, or maybe you have a wedding album filled with memories of that special day. In my home, I created a “height wall” to measure the growth of my three boys. I started it when my oldest son was only a few months old.
Now, seven years later, we continue adding a new mark each birthday. Looking back at those marks brings back countless memories, and my boys often ask what life was like when they were younger. Memorials are meaningful because they help us remember important events and tell their stories to future generations.
In Joshua 3:14-4:9, the people of Israel experienced one of God’s mighty acts. The Lord instructed Joshua that Israel was about to cross the Jordan River and enter the land He had promised them.
Joshua did not need to devise a strategy because God had already provided one. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant were to go before the people. As soon as their feet entered the water, the Lord miraculously stopped the flow of the Jordan River so that the nation could cross on dry ground.
Everything happened exactly as God had promised. The priests stood in the middle of the riverbed while the people crossed safely. In the midst of this miracle, God commanded Joshua to establish a memorial. Twelve stones were taken from the Jordan River and set up as a lasting reminder of what the Lord had done.
These stones served as a testimony for future generations. When children asked about them, parents could recount how God went before His people, made a way where there seemed to be no way, and faithfully fulfilled His promises. The memorial pointed beyond the stones themselves to the greatness and faithfulness of God.
As believers, we also have reason to remember God’s mighty works. Through our sin, we were separated from God and unable to save ourselves. Yet God, in His love and mercy, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and rise again. Through faith in Christ, we receive forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life. Just as God brought Israel into the Promised Land, He brings His people into the blessings of salvation through Christ.
The church has been given two ordinances that continually remind us of God’s saving work: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism symbolizes our union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. The Lord’s Supper calls us to remember Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf and to look forward to His return. Neither ordinance saves us, but both point us to the gospel and help us remember what God has done.
How do you remember God’s faithfulness in your life? Is there a way you and your family can intentionally recall His goodness and provision? The next time you witness a baptism or participate in the Lord’s Supper, let it remind you of the mighty works of God and the salvation He has accomplished through Jesus Christ. B&R