Joshua 4:20-24 (NLT) It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River. Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”
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Joy. Comfort. Captivity. Isolation. Loss. Struggle. Fear. Anguish. Longing.
Every single one of these words we’ve felt at times and will likely feel again at some point. We may have walked through many lonely moments when we think we’ve been sentenced to exile somehow. Such was the plight of all God’s people throughout history.
Gilgal was a significant place and an incredible, noteworthy moment for a people who had known both comfort and exile. Where Moses had left off, Joshua had now taken the mantle of leading God’s people to the promise which He had made to Abraham long before. Generations had come and gone, waiting in hope while navigating the realities of life. Throughout history, ALL of God’s people have experienced some of the same emotions we face today. Isolation. Loss. Struggle. Fear. Anguish. Longing.
The journey toward God’s promise was not easy, full of many ups and downs. Nevertheless, God’s uncompromising faithfulness and timely provision were always constant. The supernatural and spectacular rescue at Gilgal was one of those moments of exhilarating relief. Imagine coming to a place where, finally, after generations of prophetic murmurs, the promised land is in view. Everything good that God had guaranteed to Abraham, Moses, and their forefathers was in sight, with one last major hurdle: the Jordan River. At harvest time, the river would be flooded, measuring 20 miles long, 2 miles wide, and 120 feet deep. Getting across this chasm would seem impossible and improbable, and to take possession of the promise would be no small feat – BUT GOD.
Unlike the Red Sea rescue, the Jordan would require a different faith step, literally. It wasn’t until those carrying the Ark of the Covenant began to step into the water that the river gave way, parting to create safe passage on dry ground.
Think about that! It took a step of faith, but the Ark was present.
It took a step of faith, but God was present with them.
Sometimes, we must take a step of faith before seeing the waters part to give safe passage into our promise. We can take heart because GOD IS WITH US. It was Gilgal, which translates to mean “rolled away,” where God would cause the waters of the Jordan to give way to the possession of the promise.
Since Life is full of ups and downs, we will all have moments in life worthy of remembrance that will be necessary for us to lean in and listen to when life demands another major faith step.
Imagine being in the crowd watching Joshua pile 12 stones taken from the Jordan River. Imagine the exhilaration in that moment of worship and gratitude after crossing such a divide, that once looked uncrossable, to attain a promise that had looked unattainable.
STACK THE STONES. May those stones be a monument of God’s miracle on our behalf. Our God, in His faithfulness, will lead us through every situation we face in life worthy of stacking some rocks of remembrance as a monument to the many miracles of His provision.
May we, like Joshua, consider future generations when stacking these stones.
May we always be willing to step in faith, out into the unknown, when it seems impossible or improbable, knowing that our God is with us, for us, and will guide us through.
May we live with legacy in mind so that our lives become living stones, not just lifeless rocks, but living testimonies of God’s faithfulness. These stones, created and built by God, become a memorial, a monument dedicated to His unwavering faithfulness, goodness, and power.
Take some time with God to read, reflect on the week, rest in His presence, and pray. Journal any thoughts, desires, dreams God is placing in your heart, feelings that have surfaced this week or any questions you may have. Ask the Lord to silence all created voices, to quiet your heart and mind so that you can hear only the uncreated voice. Pray, ask Him to speak, and listen. He’s a good God who wants to make the most of this last morning with you, in this place. Surely the Lord is in this place! We’ve met Jesus here in a powerful and personal way. Consider all that He has done this week. Consider how you can never be the same from this moment on. Think about the truth that God, the creator of everything, has an intentional design, and desires for YOUR life — and that He created you to be, is making you into, invites you to be, and calls you: His monument!
You are His most prized possession, an actual and authentic trophy that commemorates His greatness, goodness, faithfulness, kindness, and glory! On this last morning in this environment, take some time to journal anything the Holy Spirit may be saying to you today.
