How can we create memorials to remember God's work in our lives today? Setting the Scene: Stones on the Shoulders “and said to them, ‘Go across before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up one stone on his shoulder—one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.’” (Joshua 4:5) • Twelve men, one from each tribe, hoisted heavy river rocks to mark the exact spot where God stopped the Jordan. • The stones were not artistic sculptures but rough reminders—visible, tactile proof that the living God had acted in real space and time. • God Himself ordained the memorial; it carries His authority as surely as the miracle it commemorates. Why Memorials Matter to God • Exodus 12:24-27 – Passover becomes a perpetual sign that “the LORD brought you out of Egypt.” • 1 Samuel 7:12 – Samuel sets up an Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” • Psalm 103:2 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits.” • Luke 22:19 – Jesus: “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Memorials guard the heart from spiritual amnesia, stir fresh gratitude, and proclaim God’s faithfulness to every generation. Practical Ways to Build Memorials Today • Personal journal or blog: record answered prayers, milestones, and Scripture promises. • “Stone jar” on a shelf: drop in labeled pebbles or marbles, each tagged with a date and God’s specific intervention. • Family celebration days: mark anniversaries of salvation, healing, or provision with a special meal and storytelling. • Visual art or craft: a painting, collage, or quilt stitched with key verses and dates. • Digital photo book: pair pictures with captions like “The Lord provided our home – Philippians 4:19.” • Worship playlist: songs tied to seasons of deliverance; revisit them to rehearse the story. • Acts of generosity: give to missions or benevolence in memory of a breakthrough (2 Corinthians 9:11). • Volunteer project: plant a tree or serve in the community to commemorate answered prayer—living testimony that keeps bearing fruit. Guarding Against Forgetfulness • Regular review: schedule monthly or quarterly “look-back nights” to read journal entries and revisit memorial objects. • Speak the story aloud: Revelation 12:11 links victory to “the word of their testimony.” Telling reinforces remembering. • Tie memory to Scripture: every memorial should point beyond the event to the character of God revealed in His Word. • Keep it God-centered: resist turning the memorial into a trophy of personal achievement; it exists “so that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD” (Joshua 4:24). Passing the Story to the Next Generation • Invite children or younger believers to handle the “stones,” flip through the photo book, or add their own entries. • Connect each testimony to the gospel—showing how every rescue, provision, or healing foreshadows the ultimate deliverance in Christ. • Encourage memorization of key verses attached to each memorial, equipping them with truth when new rivers rise. • Celebrate publicly in the congregation: corporate stories amplify individual faith and cultivate a culture of remembrance. |
    |