‘What do these stones mean?’ - Memorials of God's Mighty Work

In Joshua 3 and 4, God has dried up the waters of the Jordan for the Children of Israel, so that they could walk across dry land.  Just like He did for them at the Red Sea.  So this makes twice that God has dried up rivers for His children to cross without having to put themselves out to get on the other side of a large body of water. 

Why did He do this?  He makes that known in verse seven of chapter three:

The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.

 Despite some of the things that the children of Israel had done to anger God, they were still His chosen people.  He had given them a promised land, and they were journeying to it.  So, they had to cross this river, the Jordan, as part of their journey.

But, just like God had taken care of them as they fled Egypt, He was going to take care of them now.  

 
...all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.  (Joshua 3:17 ESV)

But, as they finished crossing over, God told them to make a memorial of twelve stones.

When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” (Joshua 4:1-3 ESV)

Why were they to make this memorial?  Why do we make memorials at all?  To remember someone, something, some event, that was important.

 And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over^, 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 4:21-24 ESV)

The twelve stones represented the twelve tribes of Israel who crossed over dry land.  That was a miracle!  That showed the mighty hand of God! 

This verse led me to think about what stones we have in our lives.  What are our memorials?  Our memorials are the testimonies that we have.  Have you been healed?  That's a stone memorial.  Have you been to the brink of breaking but rose back up again?  That's a stone memorial.  What has God done for you that is your memorial? 

More than that though, do we let these memorials be known?  Are our stone memorials visible or are we trying to hide them from the world?  

Don't hide the stone memorials of your life.  If you have something to share, share it!  Let the world know how mighty God is!  He performs miracles on a daily basis.  You woke up this morning.  You had food on the table, and you were able to get to work.  Don't be ashamed to let the world know that you have stone memorials.  

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord...(2 Timothy 1:8 ESV)

What are your memorials?  Share your testimonies and uplift someone else today!