March 19: Joshua 3-6; 1Corinthians 4

Scripture: Joshua (NIV) 4:20 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21 He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’”

Observation: In driving around Kansas, I like to stop and read the historical markers placed beside the roads. I like to read about the Indians who once roamed the prairie, about the covered wagon trails, about the river crossings, and wells, and other points of historical interest.

At the Lord’s instruction (4:1) Joshua had one man from each of the twelve tribes pick up a stone from the middle of the Jordan. After crossing the river these stones were set up as a memorial so that future generations would not forget what God had done. It was very important for the Israelites to have such memorials; they did not have the Bible in their homes. Seeing those river stones would start conversations as children would ask their parents about their meaning.

Application: In living out our Christian life, it is good to think about future generations and leave something for a witness to what God has done. God did not stop working when the New Testament was completed. He continued and He continues! Knowing that God has been involved in our generation will help them to have faith that God will be involved in their generation.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, out of the hard places of our lives, may we take time to pile up some stones as a memorial for the next generation. May it be easy for them to see that You are the center of our lives. Amen