Our God Rocks!

“Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’  then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’”

Joshua 4:21-22

God commands the children of Israel to make a pile or rocks on the bank of the Jordan, one for each tribe of Israel as “stones of remembrance” that will help bring to their mind the faithfulness of God, the fact that He keeps His promises. And the good news for us today is God is the same yesterday today and forever!

Each time the children of Israel pass by these stones piled up beside the Jordan River they would have an opportunity to testify of the Lord to their children about the goodness of God going all the way back to the day He first called Abraham. 1 Peter 3:15 reminds you and me, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” Those rocks gave the children of Israel opportunity just like our bible gives us ours.

Are you aware that there was a second pile of rocks, a second memorial that stood in the midst of the Jordan that only God would be able to see from heaven as they would remain under water once the children of Israel crossed over. That second pile of rocks served as a “stone of remembrance” to the Lord Himself that when He looks down from heaven to the earth the rocks remind Himself of His everlasting promises to Israel, and His faithfulness regardless of their faithfulness to Him. Aren’t you glad to know that even when you and I are not faithful, Jesus still is!

There is a deeper meaning regarding the rocks buried in the midst of the Jordan that the children of Israel could not see but knew they were there. The stones buried in the midst of the Jordan would be a reminder that the old way of life was washed away, and that all things had become new. Life on the other side of the Jordan represented the old life which they were leaving behind. The rocks piled up in the middle of the Jordan would serve as a reminder that God was calling Israel to forget the old way of life, and to walk in the newness of life that the Lord Himself was leading them too. What God wanted for Israel then He desires for me and you today! Are you walking in the newness of life or the old way?

The Cross of Christ is our memorial, the proof of the Lord’s faithfulness, the evidence of His love. Our sins are forgiven, completely washed away and new life is now ours. Every day is a new day and with it comes the opportunity to tell our children, our spouses, our family and friends, even compete strangers about the faithfulness of God throughout history. After all, He is the same yesterday, today and forever!
 

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.”

Lamentations 3:21

I LOVE YOU!

Michael Osthimer

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