What steps can we take to commemorate God's work in our lives? Setting the Scene at Gilgal “On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho.” (Joshua 4:19) Israel’s very first act after the miraculous crossing was to stop, set up camp, and remember. From that simple pause flow several practical steps we can take today. Physical Memorials: Tangible Reminders of Grace • Joshua set up twelve stones at Gilgal (Joshua 4:20-22). • Samuel raised a stone he called Ebenezer: “Thus far the LORD has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). • Ideas now: – Place a small stone, wooden plaque, or framed verse in your home marking a specific answered prayer. – Plant a tree or dedicate a corner of the garden to commemorate a turning point God provided. – Keep a “blessing box” where family members drop notes of gratitude to read later. Storytelling: Passing the Wonder to the Next Generation • “So that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD… and so that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” (Joshua 4:24) • Deuteronomy 6:7 calls parents to “teach them diligently to your children.” • Ideas now: – Over dinner, retell key moments when God intervened in your life. – Record a short video testimony and store it with family photos. – Invite children to ask, “What do these stones mean?”—then gladly answer. Rhythms and Calendars: Marking Time with Testimony • Israel celebrated Passover every year to recall deliverance (Exodus 12). • In the church, the Lord’s Supper continues Jesus’ command, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). • Ideas now: – Note anniversaries of salvation, baptisms, healings, or key provisions on the family calendar. – Celebrate those dates with a simple meal, song, or reading of the related Scripture. – Adopt seasonal traditions (Advent candles, Resurrection Sunday sunrise) that rehearse the gospel story. Personal Records: Journaling God’s Faithfulness • “I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.” (Psalm 77:11) • Ideas now: – Keep a prayer journal, marking the date of request and the date of answer. – Write a yearly “faith report”—a one-page recap of how God guided and provided. – Tuck sermon notes and prophetic words into a binder for periodic review. Corporate Worship: Celebrating Together • Gilgal became a base for worship and national gatherings (Joshua 5:10; 1 Samuel 11:14-15). • Ideas now: – Share testimonies during small-group meetings. – Commission missionaries or new ministry teams with public laying on of hands, marking God’s ongoing work. – Choose worship songs that recount God’s deeds (“Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “Amazing Grace”) and explain their stories. Ongoing Testimony: Living Memorials • Revelation 12:11 notes believers “overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” • Ideas now: – Speak openly about Christ’s impact at work or school; your life becomes a walking memorial stone. – Offer practical help where God once helped you—comforting others with the comfort you received (2 Corinthians 1:4). – Maintain integrity, joy, and hope; these visible fruits remind observers of God’s reality. Just as the Israelites paused at Gilgal, intentional acts of remembrance keep our hearts anchored in the God who still parts rivers and leads His people forward. |
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