Memorial Stones
By Kendra Osborn
“Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder….to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.”
Joshua 4:5-7 (NIV)
And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’
Joshua 4:20-22 (NIV)
Several months ago I was blessed to be in a worship service that was nothing but people sharing their testimonies and proclaiming what the Lord had done in their lives. As I sat there listening I thought of our children. None of them were in there to hear all the Lord had done in the lives of their friends and family! I heard the words, “memorial stones,” in my spirit and I felt a wave of grief for our children. The Holy Spirit began to move on me and asked me where our memorial stones are for our children and the future generations?
I have always been amazed by this story and what Joshua did when they crossed the Jordan on dry ground. Can you imagine how the Israelites felt when they witnessed the hand of God once again provide dry land for them to cross? Joshua instructed the Israelites to always remember what the Lord had done and that the memorial stones would be a reminder not only for them but for all their future descendants. Did you know that the memorial stones placed there the day they crossed the Jordan are still there today (vs. 9)?
Do you ever wonder what kind of memorial we are leaving for our children and for the generations to come? I have to wonder if they are more aware of what they don’t have instead of what God has given them. When is the last time you heard a child ask about the miracles of God? Do we have stories to share for generations to come or do we keep silent?
Frankly, we are vocal about the wrong things, things that are of no importance compared to the things of God. I am grieved that we can talk to our children about everything else except the power of God and the great things He has done in our lives. It’s our responsibility to place memorial stones along the way as a foundation for the future generations. I believe if we pave the way for our children with a memorial to all the Lord has done it would change the course of their lives.
Our children need to know and remember all the Lord has done for us. They need to be told about the miracles God has performed in our lives and there needs to be a constant reminder so they won’t forget the awesome and mighty power our Lord God holds and pours out on His people.
How would our memorial stones look today? What would they be? I believe it would please the heart of God if we did as Joshua did and took actual stones and used them as a memorial to Him. What an amazing opportunity we would have to talk to our children about the things of the Lord and to teach them to always remember His hand upon us.
What a blessing for our children to begin a tradition for years to come, honoring the Lord in a visible way. The stones we set before our children today would one day prompt the future generations to ask what these stones mean. What a spiritual legacy to leave for the generations to come!
Pray with me: Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth how we praise You. We offer up prayers of thanksgiving for all You do and for Your hand of protection, mercy and provision.
God may we never forget the mighty miracles You have done in our lives and continue to do. Let us always remember and prompt us to shout from the mountain tops the good news we have in You. I pray Lord we would teach our children and tell them of Your goodness in our lives.
I pray we will pave the way with stones of remembrance for our children and the generations to come. We pray it would change the face of the future for Your glory Lord. God You are good and Your mercy endures forever. Your name is above all names and we stand in awe of You. We pray in the mighty and precious name of Jesus, Yeshua. Amen!