How can we create "memorials" to remind us of God's work in our lives? Key Verse Joshua 4:7: “you are to tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off. Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.” Setting the Scene • Israel has just crossed the Jordan on dry ground—an unmistakable act of God. • Twelve stones are lifted from the riverbed and stacked at Gilgal. • The pile is not art for art’s sake; it is a perpetual prompt: “Remember what God did here.” Why God Loves Tangible Reminders • They keep us from spiritual amnesia. Deuteronomy 6:12 warns, “be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” • They create teachable moments for the next generation (Joshua 4:6). • They stir worship and gratitude: “I will remember the works of the LORD” (Psalm 77:11). • They anchor faith during new trials—if He delivered then, He can deliver now (1 Samuel 7:12). Practical Ways to Build Modern Memorials Physical markers • A small pile of stones on a bookshelf, each labeled with a date and answered prayer. • Framed photos capturing mission trips, baptisms, or moments of breakthrough. • A special object—ticket stub, hospital bracelet, military tag—placed where you see it daily. Written records • A dedicated journal cataloging God’s interventions, promises fulfilled, and lessons learned. • Margin notes in your Bible with dates beside key verses that came alive in crisis. • Digital “Ebenezers”: a folder of testimony emails or voice memos stored on your phone. Celebration rhythms • Annual “remembrance meals,” echoing Exodus 12:14, retelling how God rescued your family. • Communion taken thoughtfully—Luke 22:19 calls it a built-in memorial to the cross. • Worship playlists titled with specific seasons: “Cancer Free,” “Job Provided,” “Prodigal Returned.” Acts of service • Giving to a ministry every year on the anniversary of a miracle provision. • Volunteering at a shelter where God once met you, turning personal history into compassion. • Planting a tree after a major life event—each ring a silent witness to God’s faithfulness. Guarding Against Empty Ritual • The stone pile was never the focus; the story behind it was. Beware of keeping souvenirs without sharing testimonies. • Relate every memorial back to Scripture so it points upward, not inward (Psalm 145:4). • Review and refresh—retire objects that no longer speak, and add new ones as God writes fresh chapters. Passing the Story Forward • Tell the full narrative, not just the headline. Children need to hear the struggle as well as the victory. • Invite others to add their own stones—family, small-group members, new believers. • Store testimonies in multiple formats so they survive technology shifts and house moves. Taking the Next Step Today 1. Identify one recent work of God worth preserving in memory. 2. Choose a form—object, writing, celebration, or service—best suited to your personality. 3. Place or schedule it where it will interrupt normal life with a reminder of supernatural grace. 4. Share the story this week with at least one person who did not witness it, fulfilling Joshua 4:7’s purpose: “tell them.” |
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