Readings for today: Joshua 3-6
There is a cross near an intersection a few miles away from the church I serve that serves as a memorial for three teenagers who tragically lost their lives in a car accident many years ago. Two of those boys attended our church. They were active in the youth group. One of our pastors knew their families very well. Hundreds of people attended their service. There was even a flag football game established in their honor every year at Thanksgiving named after one of the boys. Every time I drive by that cross, I am reminded of what happened and I say a silent prayer for the families of those boys. Such is the point of memorials.
Human beings are big on memorials. It’s why we’ve built the Great Pyramids and mausoleums like the Taj Mahal. It’s why we’ve built memorials like the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial. It’s why we’ve engaged in elaborate burial ceremonies and funeral rites over the centuries. It’s why we take the time to write down our histories so we can remember what took place and why it’s important. The ancient Israelites were no different. They wanted to make sure future generations remembered all God had done for them to bring them to the Promised Land so as soon as they crossed over the Jordan, they built an altar with twelve stones. “Now Joshua set up in Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. He told the Israelites, “When your children someday ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones represent?’ explain to your children, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the water of the Jordan before you while you crossed over. It was just like when the Lord your God dried up the Red Sea before us while we crossed it. He has done this so all the nations of the earth might recognize the Lord’s power and so you might always obey the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:20-24 NET) Joshua wanted to make sure the nation never forgot their salvation story. By setting up an altar, Joshua ensured that future generations would hear the Exodus story once again and praise God for all He had done for them.
Memorials are important for all of us. I actually know people who carry a small stone in their pocket to remind themselves daily of all God has done. I know others who collect special items from special places to serve as a reminder of a moment in time when God met them in a powerful way. I know others who keep a daily journal to keep a record of the ways God has shown up in their lives. (This is a practice of mine by the way. Highly recommend!) The point of memorials is to keep us from forgetting or taking for granted the many blessings God has poured out in our lives. Memorials also give us the opportunity to pass on to future generations all we have learned and experienced in life with God at our side.
Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 7-10