Standing Up Stones

In the Bible, found in the first few chapters of Joshua, we are given an account of a great leader, whose name was Joshua.  He and all his people, the Israelites, were about to cross into the Promised Land.  It is important to remember that this was something they had waited 40 years for - it was a long time coming - and in order to finally reach this promised destination, it meant crossing a river.  Not just any river but the Jordan River (a very large one), and not just that river, but the timing of their crossing placed them there during flood season.  Isn't that so often God's way?  In order for us to recognize that it is Him and not us, He does the impossible using the most difficult circumstances.

The short version of this true story, is that the Israelites crossed over on DRY GROUND - God stopped the waters and allowed an estimated 2 million people to cross (this is 40 years after crossing the Red Sea on dry ground, so most of them would have only heard those stories from their ancestors about that miracle - now God was giving them their own, first hand taste of His glory).  Then God told them to do a strange thing - He told the priests to go back in the river and pick up 12 big stones and carry them to the place where they were staying that night. 

Two things stand out to me when I read the directive God gave them: One ~ it was an unusual thing to have to do and, Two ~ it was not convenient.  But that is often true when God speaks, isn't it?  It may not be the usual request we would expect and it is often not convenient.  But they obeyed and when they reached the other side, they set up the stones as God had commanded.  They were told, as it says in Joshua 4, that these stones were a symbol of their deliverance.  In verse 6 it says the stones were, "To serve as a sign among you.  In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant...these stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

So, where am I going with this in how it applies to you and I?  First, if you feel God has laid something on your heart but it seems unusual, don't brush it off quickly - ask God to confirm it for you and then do what you feel He is asking of you.  Second, you need to know that it will likely not be convenient or easy to do, and if it seems beyond your natural capacity, that may be good assurance that God is very much in it.  Third, be actively watching for ways to place memorials in your life and the lives of your children.  Look for tangible objects (not statues, but reminders) that speak to God's faithfulness.  Tell your children the stories of how God has met a need, rescued you from danger, spoken to your heart - there aren't any storybooks that will stir your children's hearts deeper than your own "God stories", while creating longing for their own stories.  You don't feel like you have those yet?  Then ask the Lord to start creating opportunities to see Him move - I promise He will!