The Stones We Leave Behind: Remembering What God Has Done
Why God Told His People to Remember
So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. — Joshua 4:8
Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day. — Joshua 4:9
And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. — Joshua 4:20
When the Israelites left Egypt, they wandered the wilderness for 40 years. During this time, they were given many blessings from God, such as manna and water, safety, and protection from the elements. But they also sinned against God many times, causing a whole generation to be kept from entering the Promised Land. When they crossed the Jordan River and made camp, Joshua set up these memorial stones to remember all that God had done for them, according to God’s instructions. This was so future generations who saw the stones could hear the stories of God’s faithfulness to the Israelites.
The Memorial Stones in Our Own Lives
How do you remember an event or someone who was a big part of your life? We can dig through photos, videos, or look at an object or souvenir we collected from a place. When my daddy died at age 36, I didn’t realize how important those few photos we have of him would be, and I wish we had more. A few years ago, friends from North Carolina shared some video they had taken of him and our families when we were together during one of their visits to our house in Nebraska. Those photos, which seemed to bring him back to life, were so near and dear to me, I cried when watching them. They became precious to me in a way I couldn’t describe.
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While many of my pictures haven’t stood the test of time as they aren’t iPhone photos or professional photos, I can still look back at some of those trips and people I spent time with and enjoy the memories of seeing various sights and being with people I loved. I usually would purchase something to remember those events, but many items, like t-shirts or other souvenirs, haven’t lasted to this day.
There are precious ways to remember loved ones. For example, my husband has his grandpa’s Bible with its notes and verses underlined. My sister who passed from ovarian cancer gave me a new Bible with a message she wrote inside. That remains very special to me.
When We Forget God’s Faithfulness
When trials arise, I tend to get frustrated, upset, and fear can take over easily. It takes me a while to work through these “bad” events to where I place the trial in God’s hands and surrender myself to Him. I forget what God has done in the past to help me through those times. When things don’t go our way, or when bad things happen to us or our loved ones, we fight the urge to take control and make them work out in the way we want. Unfortunately, the control we think we have doesn’t truly exist. God—and God alone—can write the outcome of the trial. It’s up to us to react appropriately when trouble comes, and that means we need to trust God Who has been faithful to us in the past.
Remembering Gives Us Courage for Today
By looking in that rearview mirror and focusing on God’s faithfulness, we can remember how He is good. Things don’t always turn out the way we want them to, but they turn out the way that can bring glory to God, if we choose to look for how He works. It is important to remember that God sent His Son, Jesus, to be a sacrifice FOR us because of our sin. Who would sacrifice a loved one for others? For people who may not even care about you or want a relationship with you? Only God. He created us and loves us with an unconditional love that says, I love you no matter what. And through every trial, every loss, every bit of unhappiness we live through here on earth, He is with us, guiding us and loving us through the worst days of our lives. That in itself should give us courage for each day. And that’s enough.
The Stones We’re Leaving Behind
We, too, need to leave “stones” behind for future generations. Who we are/were is not as important as what kind of legacy we leave behind. If we are a kind, generous person, we are likely to be remembered for that by our family and friends. But are we also sharing the Gospel of Jesus with others? Are we reminding others of God’s faithfulness? What are we doing for the Kingdom of God to be passed on to future generations?
The Road Ahead
When I look back over my own life, I wonder if I have done anything to share the love of God with others. I wonder if I have missed out on opportunities to share what God has done in my life in order to help someone else through life’s journey. Friend, it is not too late. We can always share God’s hand in our lives with anyone we come into contact with.
I remember my grandmother who lived to be just short of 100 years old. I learned so much from her, even though her hearing and eyesight had gotten to be so poor in her late years. She told us that she still prayed for us, even if she couldn’t communicate as well by then. Her legacy to me was her prayer life. I truly believe that without her prayers, evil such as temptation, lack of protection, and sin could have plagued our lives. I am thankful to God for so many family members who came before me and prayed or shared their faith to the generations that came after them.
Reflection Question
Has God given you “memorial stones” in your life to remind you of His faithfulness? If so, how will you share those stories with your children and grandchildren? With others?
Simple Activity
Build Your Own Memorial Stones
Find five small stones (or draw five stones on a piece of paper). On each one, write (or paint) a word that reminds you of a time God was faithful, such as:
Provision
Healing
Peace
Protection
Family
A name or event
Place them where you’ll see them this week, maybe even as part of your landscaping or in a garden. When you see them, thank God for His faithfulness and ask Him for trust in Him as you face the future.
Breath Prayer
Inhale: Thank You for Your faithfulness.
Exhale: Help me remember.
Closing Hope
As we remember how God has been faithful through the trials we’ve lived through, we can be brave in trusting Him with every step we take forward. I pray that the “Joshua stones” you leave behind point others to the faithfulness of God.
