{RE:} Remember for Generations

March 15th, 2022

Wednesday: Remember for Generations

Read: Joshua 4:1-7

And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying:
“Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 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.’”
Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them:
“Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

Reflect:

I'm not sure if it's typical of all kids, but my 3 boys have this habit of "collecting" rocks and sticks and other random objects every time we go on a walk or hike (or sometimes just when we're in our backyard). I've actually had to limit the number of rocks and size of sticks we can bring inside! In thinking about it, this is something we all do, right? We collect shells on a beach vacation or purchase a magnet when we visit a new place.

These artifacts serve as a memorial - something that helps us "look back" on a special moment or remember and important event.

God instructs Joshua and the nation of Israel to place memorial stones in the river so that they might remember God's faithfulness *and* so that they can share it with future generations.

1. Sometimes we make memorials because we don't want things to change, but that's not what's happening here. The people are about to move from the wilderness to the Promised Land, their lives are going to change in major ways and the promises of God will be fulfilled. They need to be able to look back if they want to move forward.

What new things/places might God be calling you into?
What stones of remembrance can you place in your life to help you recall God's goodness in this new season?
Be specific - what literal objects could you place in your spaces to remind you of God's presence and power?

2. The memorial stones were also placed to share a legacy of faith with future generations.

How are you leaving a legacy of faith for younger generations?
Do others ever ask you about things that God has done in your life? How do share that with them?

Respond:

LORD GOD, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us with your mighty power that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity, and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Book of Common Prayer

8 Comments

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Nick Tebordo - March 16th, 2022 at 4:21am

Interesting! I have stated that no "thing" will be so important to me that I would be devestated if I lost it. However, upon reflection, I have a number of things that are "stones of remembrance". I have a coffee cup that has "I can do all things through Christ. " . That is my life verse and it came through a house fire that we experienced. In like manner, a nativity set that Terrie and I made came through that same fire. I love to have the grandchildren set it up at Christmastime as a way to remember Grandma Terrie. I have a ring that my Mom ordered for me the day before she died. It arrived in the mail several months after her death. It was like receiving a present from her after she went to heaven. Thes are some "things that come to mind as stones of remembrance. God is faithful.

David - March 16th, 2022 at 4:30am

I think I have greater awareness and empathy for those suffering under racial injustice. The country has entered a new season where we see the murals depicting George Floyd , people remembering the march over the Edmond Pettis bridge in Selma, and the tearing down of the old statues of Confederate generals.

Susan Blais - March 16th, 2022 at 4:30am

Recently I had an old recording of our worship team from about 35 years ago updated from real to reel recording to CDs. This was a recording of songs that ministered to me at the time of my first kidney transplant. When we would go out singing four different churches we would give these recordings to anyone who had a chronic illness to try to help them through that period of their life. My hope in having these old recordings changed to current cd recordings was that my family would remember this time in my life and know of my dependence on the Lord during this experience in my life. Lord, these days it seems like we tear down our reminders of the past to "build up a parking lot". That is what happened to the high school I attended. Lord, I pray that this CD, even though it will be replaced by newer methods someday, will be a reminder to my family of the Love that I had for I have for the Lord and his faithfulness to me during this important time in my life. I pray that this recording will be a reminder to my family who also suffer from the same chronic illness which affects our family. Would this be a reminder, small as it is, of your faithfulness to me and to future generations.

David Edelstein - March 16th, 2022 at 4:50am

Although I have no biological children, Rosemarie honored me by completing one of her diamond art pieces that says: Anyone can be a father; it takes someone special to be a step dad. My relationship with Jodie has been special.

Becky Thayer - March 16th, 2022 at 6:09am

I have a collection of sand from several different beaches that Lew and I have visited over the years! It reminds me of the blessings that Lew and I shared together!

Linda Comstock - March 16th, 2022 at 7:09am

At one of our women's camp out conferences, the theme was "Crossing the Jordan". Today's verses remind me of that conference and the impact it had on me. My bestie and her grandchildren dragged rocks up out of a river to bring me 12 stones so that I could make a 12 stone memorial in our yard as a reminder that I can cross my Jordan's and leave behind those things that were or have or is holding me back. As I look at those rocks, I recall all that Jesus has brought me through. And when I'm struggling with an issues, it reminds me that God is faithful and is my anchor. It still stands in our yard today. I also have a small 12 stone reminder in my bathroom. Seeing them keeps me grounded knowing that no matter what happens in my life Jesus is there with me and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Melody - March 16th, 2022 at 7:10am

I have a little gift bag of small things I've collected since we moved to Cohoes, all related to sermons (usually during Lent) or events I've participated in. There are quite a few stones with words like "gracious" and "patient" inscribed in sharpie, a pawn from a chess set I found on my first habitat trip when I had been praying for Good to use me, a domino to remind me that how I affect others has a domino effect. I look at these from time to time when I need to be reminded of God's work. One important thing is a slip of paper from a time we were instructed to write down what we want God to give us, and I wrote "a home". And here we are.

Now at the start if each school year, I bring stones and sharpies to each of my first classes. I talk about how college will change every student in important ways, and I play that old Switchfoot song "This is your life". I have the students write who they want to be on a stone & tell them to carry it with them. Then at the end of the year we all look back to see how it's going so far.

Susan Blais - March 21st, 2022 at 8:00am

God has brought me through so many things in my lifetime. But most miraculous of all has been how he brought me through Alport syndrome. If I look back at my very beginning of life, I would see that One of my kidneys did not grow from when I was an infant. At the age of 18 that kidney was infected and removed. I did not have a relationship with the Lord at that time, but he took care of me and was Close to me in peace at that time. By the time my second kidney failed, I did have a relationship with the Lord and he saw me through that trial. By the time of my second transplant, which was approximately 19 years later, I was firmly rooted in the Lord. Now it has been 13 years since that second kidney failed, and I am well aware of what my life has been in the Lord. I have told my story many times to both Christians and non-Christians and people never fail to be amazed of God's presence in my life. I think you Lord for bringing me through this marvelous life of mine. And I thank you for being ever present even though I did not know you at that time.