In the Bible, the book of Joshua tells the account of God’s people as they entered the land God had promised them. They came to the Jordan River during the spring floods and couldn’t cross. God directed them forward anyway, and as soon as the priests’ feet touched the water, it split in two, leaving dry ground for the people to safely cross. As they crossed the riverbed, Joshua directed 12 men to pick up a large stone and carry it on his shoulder to the other side. These stones would become a memorial to God.
And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you.” Joshua 4:5-6a
The Creator of this world, your Creator, is and always has been there. He is a God who can overcome any challenge, heal any brokenness and rescue anyone from the empty promises of the world.
For generations, people would look upon this memorial and remember what He had done there that day. When children asked about the stones, their parents would tell them the story of the miracle of crossing the Jordan River. They would reflect on God’s goodness, be reminded of His presence, and know that they could trust in Him, then and in the future. The memorial would remind the people that God was a God of answered prayers and fulfilled promises. God was with them and would be with them no matter what obstacles arose.
As I reflect on this account of the Israelites, I am reminded of how much God has done in my life, and all the ways He has been there and cared for me and my family. I am reminded of His Son and how Christ laid down His life for a broken man like me. I am reminded of all the ways in which God waited for me, forgave me and gently guided me out of the perils of following the world and into His loving arms. And I am reminded of all the ways in which God protected me, even during times I may never be aware of. I am thankful for Him, and sometimes I simply need to take a moment and remember.
The Creator of this world, your Creator, is and always has been there. He is a God who can overcome any challenge, heal any brokenness and rescue anyone from the empty promises of the world. He asks us only this: Believe by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and surrender all that you are into His loving arms.
Todd Deering is a pastor and elder at The Rock Church in Fenton, focusing on healing broken marriages through God’s Word. He has a heart for seeing lives resurrected by God’s power and marriages transformed from brokenness to new life.
