How can we create memorials to remember God's works in our lives? Remembering the Stones in the River “Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant stood, and the stones are there to this day.” (Joshua 4:9) God ordered those stones so no one would forget the miracle of the dry riverbed. That same God still wants His works remembered—by us, by our children, by the generations that follow. Why God Loves Memorials • They proclaim His faithfulness long after the moment has passed (Psalm 102:18). • They teach future generations to trust Him (Joshua 4:6–7). • They turn thanksgiving into a habit, guarding us from forgetfulness (Deuteronomy 8:11–14). Biblical Snapshots of Memorial-Making • Passover (Exodus 12:24-27): a yearly meal to replay deliverance from Egypt. • Deuteronomy 6:6-9: words on doorposts and wrists—visual reminders at every threshold. • 1 Samuel 7:12: Samuel’s “Ebenezer,” a single stone declaring, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” • Luke 22:19: Jesus, breaking bread—“Do this in remembrance of Me,” the ultimate memorial pointing to the cross. Practical Ways to Build Modern “Stones” 1. Physical Symbols • Collect a stone, shell, or small item whenever God answers a significant prayer. Label it with the date and a one-line praise. • Hang framed verses tied to specific deliverances in your home. • Plant a tree at a milestone—marriage, healing, salvation of a loved one—so growth visibly preaches God’s goodness. 2. Written Records • Keep a “Jordan Journal.” Each entry: the need, the prayer, the Scripture claimed, and the outcome. • Date the margins of your Bible when a verse comes alive in a crisis (Psalm 119:93). 3. Celebratory Rhythms • Set annual family “Feast Days” commemorating God’s interventions: the day He provided a job, the day a prodigal returned. Retell the story around a special meal. • Observe the Lord’s Supper regularly, letting it recall not only salvation’s foundation but every mercy that flows from it (1 Corinthians 11:26). 4. Spoken Testimonies • Share deliverance stories at family gatherings; keep the narrative fresh (Psalm 78:4). • Record short video testimonies after significant answers to prayer and archive them for future viewing. 5. Community Markers • Partner with your church or small group to dedicate a plaque, bench, or mission fund honoring a collective answer to prayer (Acts 14:27). • Write and sing an original song recounting God’s work among you (Psalm 40:3). Passing the Story Forward Joshua’s stones were “there to this day.” The goal is longevity: create memorials sturdy enough—whether stones, stories, or songs—that your grandchildren can still point to them and say, “Look what God did.” When our lives are studded with reminders, forgetting becomes impossible, and praise becomes the natural rhythm of every new step of faith. |
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