Verse of the day: Joshua 4:2-3 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’”
With all that Joshua and the Israelites had to undertake in crossing the Jordan, God stops them to take a very important step in their journey. He instructs them to stop and build a memorial. What would be its purpose? It was established to help the people of God remember what God had done for them. Intentionally remembering what God does in us, through us, and for us, will encourage us. During times of need, times of trials, and times of service, bringing to remembrance times when God was faithful to us, better to us than we deserved, and used us in significant ways, will encourage us to stand strong in Him. Remembering who God is in our lives and remembering what He is capable of helps us to be thankful at all times and reminds us to trust Him no matter what our circumstances. Psalm 103:1-2 tells us, “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” During the toughest of times, we must put ourselves in the position that the psalmist did in Psalm 77:10-12, “And I said, ‘This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 11 I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 12 I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.’” The whole point of remembering is not just for our benefit, but also so that we can give God the glory when we tell others about His goodness toward us. Before the Israelites reached this point in their journey, the account of what God did for them in the wilderness was recounted to them in order to remind them of who God was in their life, what He was capable of, and how He would come through with His promise to bring them into the Promise Land (Numbers 33; Deuteronomy 1-2). Prayerfully recounting and giving thanks for all that God does in our lives is a great way to remember His goodness toward us, even when things are not going so well. It is a means by which we can refresh the peace and joy in our lives, and keep us ready, at a moment’s notice, to share testimony with others of God’s goodness. Just as God made it a priority for Joshua and the Israelites to set up a memorial for His glory, we must not allow the busyness of our lives get in the way of us stopping and taking time to memorialize God’s goodness in our lives. Let us strive to be a people who never forget who God is in our lives or how undeservingly good He is to us.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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