October 8, 2020
Joshua 4:1-7
Twelve Memorial Stones from the Jordan
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.’” Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So, these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”
What memorial stones are you leaving for your grandchildren and their children? Each of us has a Jordan we must cross in this life, have you left those markers they will be able to go back to and remember how by faith you put your feet in your flooding Jordan and walked in victory into the promises of what God has commanded you in your life?
My parents left markers, one that is of great importance to my life is my mother and dad’s decision to trust God and not do what the doctors were telling them to do. The doctors had told them either my mother or myself would never leave the hospital and that she had two very young children at home she would be wise to abort me. That was a marker that allowed me to live, and to see faith in action. My dad had torn his knees playing football and they often swelled up and were very painful. All he could do was wrap them with an ace bandage and walk to work or church, for we were not able to afford a car at that time. The marker my dad left for me was he worked, never complained, and when someone was in need and he knew about it he showed up. He was often misunderstood but he was always willing to take a stand against anyone who treated our pastors in a manner that was not respectful, that also was a marker I have gone back to often.
Scripture is clear about leaving your children and grandchildren markers, and yes money is part of that, but a long way short of integrity and love for God and people. Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” A big marker in Jan’s and my life is a love for God and His word, and a desire to follow Jesus. We began our marriage applying this Scripture to our lives, Proverbs 22:7: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” This is a marker that will serve all who apply it, debt is a terrible taskmaster, it destroys homes and marriages.
Each of us has markers we will leave; will they be worthy of going back to and remembering when you took a stand by faith in a big God who keeps His promises. Will your children talk about you as a person of integrity and love for God and those who are needy? I sure hope so, for they are growing up in a culture that is tearing down markers and it is a culture built on putting trust and hope in what the government can do for them and removing looking to God. It has been tried by many nations and it leads to the destruction of that nation.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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