Memorial Stones from Jordan

Joshua 4 :21-22, ‘Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ ²² then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; …’

 Israelites had to cross Red Sea just after they left Egypt. And just before entering into the promised Canaan, they had to cross the overflowing river of Jordan. God made them cross both the water bodies in unnatural and amazing ways. Unusual barriers in the way of life leads us to unnatural solutions from the heaven.

Before crossing Jordan, God commanded them, saying, “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, ³ 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.’ “

God commanded the twelve stones to be taken from out of midst of Jordan, not from the brink of the river. Often one seems to be strong in faith in the beginning days of a trial. But then, with passing time, and with continuing chaotic situations, one’s faith can waver and ultimately give up. Abraham believed against all hope, even when nothing seemed to favor the issue for which God had promised him. His faith was firm and unwavering all throughout the long 25 years of waiting.  This aspect of his life is still like a memorial stone for today’s world. Had he wavered and given up after 10 to 15 years of waiting, no one today would consider him worthy to be remembered. Continuous dwelling in His Word, continuous seeking of His face and submitting time and again alone can keep our faith untouched by the seemingly long testing times. Waiting times are usually weary, but those who wait upon the Lord alone can soar up in faith with wings like eagles (Is.40). Waiting upon the Lord refers to being focused on the Lord’s Word more than the situations surrounding us.

The Lord commanded the stones to be taken from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. Each time a God’s child is made to go through trials, the heaven watches him or her carefully. The response towards heaven matters much to the Lord. Here the stones were picked from the place where the feet of the priests stood firm. Firmness in faith comes with the realization about in whom we have trusted. God is holy. His Word is holy, unchanging and powerful. The deeper realization about His character increases the firmness of our faith. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our changing situations does not change His character. Such faith anchors our hearts to His Word. This alone gives us peace that passes every understanding. The assurance that every detail of our lives are in His complete and perfect control makes us stand with firm faith.

The memorial stones were carried out of the Jordan. Sooner or later, such lives are taken out of from the  furnace of afflictions in His perfect time and set apart as memorial lives. They do not continue in same trials without end. These are the lives who waited patiently for the divine intervention in their lives. They remind us about the great and mighty God we serve. Is.48:10-11, “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver: I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it; for how should my name be polluted? And I will not give my glory unto another.” God is glorified when He takes out tested lives out of affliction. He choses them for His purposes in this furnace. We all know His Word which purifies us. But certain purifications come only with trials. Job was considered righteous by heaven. Yet he was tested and later, he was taken out of afflictions and blessed much more than before. If He has put one in furnace of affliction, He is faithful and powerful to take him or her out of that for His glory sake.

Joshua 4 :21-22, ‘ Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ ²² then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; …’  Here we see the Lord’s concern for generations to come. A testimony is not meant just for one’s life time, but for generation and  generation. Its amazing that lives from the Bible who went through various trials thousands and thousands of years back still continue to build us. God picked them up from midst of their Jordan like afflictions and have placed them before us as memorial stones. Our children watch our lives very carefully, much more than we can ever expect. Our response to the trials we are going through can become memorial stones from Jordan when they pass through same in their lives. Isaac watched his father, Abraham carefully while going up to Moriah to sacrifice as commanded by God. Jacob watched carefully his father, Isaac when he chose to dwell in Gerar at the time of famine, and so it went for generations. The Israelites later then called out to the Lord saying, “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…”.

We ought to examine our lives. Can we be picked up as memorial stones out of midst of Jordan as memorial stones for our generations and people around? Our trials are furnaces from where God picks us, choses us, sanctifies us, delivers us and then uses us as His weapons for His glory. No tough time is unplanned by God, even though we might never have expected it. But yet we are in His hands, safe and secure till we reach our destined points of life. May God strengthen us to be transformed as memorial stones out of Jordan.

 God bless us all.