A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Monday,
May
31,
2021
All four of our porch light robins are healthy
and growing. The nest is so stuffed when Mama Robin is
resting with them their heads often droop over the side of
the nest, probably to get some fresh air and to keep their
beaks from being crushed.
(photo by Ester yesterday)
"What
Do These Stones Mean?"
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"Be
careful that you do not forget the LORD your God"
(Deuteronomy 8:11a). "Those twelve stones which they
had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.
And he said to the people of Israel, “When your
children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do
these stones mean?' tell them, ‘Israel crossed
the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried
up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over.
The Lord your God did to the Jordan what He had done
to the Red Sea when He dried it up before us until we
had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples
of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is
powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord
your God”" (Joshua 4:20-24).
Today is
"Memorial Day" here in the United
States and we especially remember those who served and
gave their lives for our freedoms. Although
I don't know whether other countries have a day similar
to this or not, wherever we live we can also use this
day to consider our heritage and remember those who have
gone on before us.
Peter
Greer, is the leader of "Hope
International" a ministry based
here in Lancaster County. He's also a thoughtful writer
and speaker. Years ago I heard him share a message at a Hope International banquet cautioning
against a condition he called "spiritual amnesia". Spiritual amnesia is something we all battle
against in one way or another. As
a physical disease amnesia "refers to the loss of
memories, such as facts, information and experiences"
(Mayo Clinic).However we can also deal with amnesia regarding spiritual matters as well. In his final sermon Moses gave this solemn warning, "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God". That is a most needed caution for every generation.
After
crossing the Jordan River Joshua had the Israelites
gather and make a pile of twelve stones as a memory aid
for future generations. He was anticipating a future
time when the children would ask, "What do these
stones mean?".
The
southern Gospel group Legacy Five has a song titled
"Monuments" that expresses this Bible account and we
will use verses from their song in our message today
(video link below).
Joshua instructed the Israelites
to answer the question "What
do these stones mean?" by
recounting the story of God's wonderful deliverance that
had just taken place, "so that all the peoples of
the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is
mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever"
(Joshua 4:24).
There are several other monuments in the book of Joshua that often involve stones. In fact, immediately prior to his death, Joshua set up a stone (Joshua 24:27) as a witness in regard to his powerful challenge to the people in making the daily choice to serve God. "And the people said to Joshua, 'The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey'.”
We have two challenges for our readers to consider concerning monuments in your life:
Perhaps we all need to set up some monuments within our lives and be on our guard against spiritual amnesia since it is a recurring condition each of us must battle against.
God's
people stood on the river of Jordan
Looking back on the water they had passed through
They shouted and raised their voices to heaven
But Joshua said there's one thing we must do.
They laid twelve stones on the banks of the river
At Gilgal they offered their tribute that day
Their children would question them, "What are these stones?"
"Child, they mark the spot of this sanctified day."
Looking back on the water they had passed through
They shouted and raised their voices to heaven
But Joshua said there's one thing we must do.
They laid twelve stones on the banks of the river
At Gilgal they offered their tribute that day
Their children would question them, "What are these stones?"
"Child, they mark the spot of this sanctified day."
Joshua instructed the Israelites
to answer the question "What
do these stones mean?" by
recounting the story of God's wonderful deliverance that
had just taken place, "so that all the peoples of
the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is
mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever"
(Joshua 4:24).There are several other monuments in the book of Joshua that often involve stones. In fact, immediately prior to his death, Joshua set up a stone (Joshua 24:27) as a witness in regard to his powerful challenge to the people in making the daily choice to serve God. "And the people said to Joshua, 'The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey'.”
We have two challenges for our readers to consider concerning monuments in your life:
1) Do you
recall certain "stone piles" in your life that remind
you of God's faithfulness? These may be either
purposefully set up as the 12 stones from the Jordan
River in Joshua's time or they may be a divinely
ordained event in life. What a blessing to recall
these "stone pile" monuments standing as a reminder of
God's faithfulness and our commitment to follow in His
ways.
2) Do you have "stone piles" set up as monuments for those who come behind you? These may be specific memories of God's help, places, items or people that prompt the question, "What does this mean?" Perhaps it's a spiritual journal, a book of answered prayers, a picture that signifies God's miraculous provision, or maybe a former "help" needed such as an arm or leg brace before God provided divine healing. We do this so "that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever."
2) Do you have "stone piles" set up as monuments for those who come behind you? These may be specific memories of God's help, places, items or people that prompt the question, "What does this mean?" Perhaps it's a spiritual journal, a book of answered prayers, a picture that signifies God's miraculous provision, or maybe a former "help" needed such as an arm or leg brace before God provided divine healing. We do this so "that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever."
Perhaps we all need to set up some monuments within our lives and be on our guard against spiritual amnesia since it is a recurring condition each of us must battle against.
Mothers
and fathers of this generation
there's hope for your family keep this in mind
Don't move the landmarks set up for your children
they will find the way by what we've left behind.
Where are the monuments we should be leaving
so our children can find the way to get home
We should be laying stones so they can follow
the pathway that leads to God's throne.
there's hope for your family keep this in mind
Don't move the landmarks set up for your children
they will find the way by what we've left behind.
Where are the monuments we should be leaving
so our children can find the way to get home
We should be laying stones so they can follow
the pathway that leads to God's throne.
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, I marvel at the trace of
Your hand in my life. If I were to speak of the
"stones" of deliverance and provision the first
and most important "stone" would be the moment
You delivered me from darkness and transferred
me into the kingdom of Your light. You took the
uncertainties of my life and gave me an eternal
purpose for living. I am so grateful for the
solid, reliable "stone" of salvation that is the
starting point for the path of stones where I've
seen Your hand in my life as I've experienced
Your deliverance, provision and faithfulness
every step along my pilgrim journey. Step by
step, Lord, You walk with me on this straight
and narrow path that leads to life eternal while
upholding me with Your righteous right hand.
Amen.
Daily
prayer: Father, I marvel at the trace of
Your hand in my life. If I were to speak of the
"stones" of deliverance and provision the first
and most important "stone" would be the moment
You delivered me from darkness and transferred
me into the kingdom of Your light. You took the
uncertainties of my life and gave me an eternal
purpose for living. I am so grateful for the
solid, reliable "stone" of salvation that is the
starting point for the path of stones where I've
seen Your hand in my life as I've experienced
Your deliverance, provision and faithfulness
every step along my pilgrim journey. Step by
step, Lord, You walk with me on this straight
and narrow path that leads to life eternal while
upholding me with Your righteous right hand.
Amen.Study
note: As we study God's Word we notice how
connected and cognizant the people of God were
with their past and how throughout the
Scriptures God instituted reminders for them.
However as we observe contemporary man we are
struck by how many know so little about the past
and even more stunning is their lack of
interest. Monuments or Memorials are visible
markers intended to remind us. In the Old
Testament and for Jews to this day the most
important reminder was the Passover. For
Christians the most important is the Lord's
Supper.
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Monuments" Video Legacy
Five
"We
Will Remember" Video Triumphant Quartet
Peter
Greer's book "Mission Drift" has a vitally important message
for the church and individuals. "Too often,
as Christian organizations grow, the Gospel
often becomes cursory, expendable, or even
forgotten. Again and again, leaders have
watched their ministries, businesses, and
nonprofits professionalize, expand, and lose
sight of their original goals. Even churches
can stray from their calling."
Peter's
message about Mission Drift to a group of
Convene business leaders Video (28:30)
Send
a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
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Weber".Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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