By Tim Jones
God’s Great Outdoors
Joshua 4:7 "......So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."
The town that I grew up in is mostly a military town. There is a very large Command Air Force base located in the city limits. The Base employs approximately 38,000 military, civilian, and contractors from the area. It is the largest single-site employer in the state. The city recently erected a memorial to the branches of the military and gave the opportunity to individuals to have a paver brick placed around the memorial to honor family members who served our country. When my father passed away, my mother purchased a paver in honor of my father's service in the Air Force. This paver honors not only my father's service to his country, but also honors him as a man, a husband, and a father. It serves as a remembrance of who he was and what he meant to his family and those he touched in life.
The Bible tells of an event where another type of remembrance stone was erected. In the book of Joshua, we read where the Israelites were instructed to collect 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan River and build a memorial where they crossed the river. The stones served as a physical reminder of God's miraculous provision and faithfulness during their journey. This memorial was intended to commemorate significant events in Israel's history as well as teach future generations. Joshua 4:6-7 states that the purpose of the memorial was "that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, What do these stones mean? Then you shall tell them....." God was faithful to Israel and performed mighty acts on their behalf. That same God that was faithful to the nation of Israel is faithful to you today.
In our own nation, native Americans stacked stones to make monuments to remember occurrences or help guide those that come behind.
Families today can reflect on events and times in their own life where they experienced God's presence and provision. Regular family devotions and Bible study are a good way to share these stories and reinforce faith. Physical "stones of remembrance" such as special or favorite bible passages or verses can be visual markers to remind us of God's faithfulness in our lives. By implementing the concept of stones of remembrance, families can strengthen their faith and ensure that the stories of God's good works are passed down through generations. Are you building memorials to God's faithfulness and passing it on to your children and others influenced by your life?
To God Be The Glory!
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