Memorial Stones: Remembering God's Faithfulness and Promises

Devotional

Day 1: Remembering God’s Faithfulness Through Obedience and Prayer

God calls His people to remember the moments when He answered their prayers and led them through impossible situations, just as He led Israel across the Jordan River. The act of crossing was not random or by chance, but a direct response to their obedience and prayerful preparation. Each step of faith, even when uncertain, is met by God’s faithfulness. When we look back, we should be able to point to specific times when God moved in our lives, answering prayers and making a way where there seemed to be none. These moments become spiritual markers, reminders that God is attentive and responsive to those who seek Him and walk in obedience. [40:43]

Joshua 4:19-24 (ESV)
19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.
20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.
21 And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’
22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’
23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over,
24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

Reflection: Can you recall a specific time when God answered a prayer in your life? How can you mark or share that moment as a testimony to His faithfulness today?

Day 2: Redemption Flows Through the Blood of the Lamb

The journey of faith always begins at the same place for every believer: at the foot of the cross, where the blood of Jesus was shed. Just as Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea were made possible by the Passover lamb’s blood, our salvation is only possible through the sacrifice of Christ. There is no redemption apart from the blood; it is the foundation of forgiveness and the promise of heaven. Every testimony, no matter how different, is rooted in this same truth—salvation flows through the blood of the Lamb, and we all start with Jesus. [44:03]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV)
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Reflection: When you think about your own story of coming to faith, how does remembering the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross shape your gratitude and your daily walk with Him?

Day 3: God Makes a Way Where There Is No Way

God specializes in doing the impossible, making a path through flooded rivers and impassable obstacles. The priests stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan at flood stage, a miracle that defied natural explanation. In our lives, we often face situations that seem insurmountable, but these are the very places where God can show His power and do something new. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and He delights in making a way for His people when there seems to be no way. [45:21]

Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 (ESV)
16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,
18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Reflection: What is one “uncrossable river” or impossible situation you are facing right now? Will you trust God to make a way, and what step of faith can you take today to move forward?

Day 4: Victory Over the Enemy Belongs to the Lord

God promised Israel victory over their enemies before they even crossed the Jordan, reminding them that the battle is not theirs but His. While we must fight for victory in our daily lives—over sin, habits, or spiritual opposition—it is God who ultimately gives the victory. The stones set up by Israel pointed forward to future triumphs, just as our lives should point to God’s ongoing work of deliverance and victory. We are called to be strong and courageous, trusting that God is with us and will help us overcome whatever stands in our way. [51:09]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need God’s victory today? How can you actively trust Him to fight the battle for you instead of relying on your own strength?

Day 5: God’s Provision and Promises Are Everlasting

God’s goodness and provision are not seasonal or momentary—they are everlasting and generational. He supplied all Israel’s needs in the wilderness and in the promised land, and He promises to be with us forever, keeping His covenant and finishing what He began in us. The stones were a memorial for future generations, a testimony that God’s promises are true and His faithfulness endures. As we remember what God has done, we are called to pass on these stories of His goodness to our children and grandchildren, so that His faithfulness is known for generations to come. [53:46]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally share God’s faithfulness and provision with the next generation—your children, grandchildren, or someone younger in the faith—this week?

Sermon Summary

The journey of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land is a story of God’s faithfulness, power, and provision, but it is also a story of remembrance. As the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, God commanded them to take twelve stones from the riverbed and set them up as a memorial. These stones were not just for decoration; they were to serve as a visible reminder for future generations of what God had done—how He delivered, provided, and fulfilled His promises. When children would ask, “What do these stones mean?” the answer would be a testimony to God’s mighty hand and enduring faithfulness.

The path to this moment was not straightforward. Israel’s journey was marked by disobedience, wandering, and missed opportunities. Yet, even in their failures, God’s grace was evident. The crossing of the Jordan was not just a physical act but a spiritual one, symbolizing the move from a nominal faith to a victorious, obedient life. The Jordan does not represent death, but rather the transition into a life of victory and abundance that God desires for His people.

Each stone in the memorial can be seen as representing a key aspect of God’s work. There is the stone of answered prayer, reminding us that God responds to those who seek Him in obedience and faith. There is the stone of redemption, rooted in the blood of the Passover lamb, pointing us to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The stone of miraculous possibilities reminds us that God specializes in the impossible, making a way where there is none. The stone of victory over enemies speaks to God’s power to deliver us from bondage and defeat the strongholds in our lives. The stone of provision testifies to God’s ability to supply every need, not just for a season, but for a lifetime.

These stones are not just relics of the past; they are living testimonies for us and for the generations that follow. They call us to remember, to tell our children, and to mark the moments when God has moved in our lives. Just as a grandfather marks his cane with every answered prayer, we are called to remember and recount the goodness of God, so that faith is passed down and hope is kept alive. God’s goodness is not momentary—it is generational, and His promises are everlasting.

Key Takeaways

1. Remembrance is a Spiritual Discipline God instructed Israel to set up memorial stones so that future generations would ask about them and hear the stories of God’s faithfulness. Remembering what God has done is not just nostalgia; it is a spiritual discipline that anchors our faith and gives us courage for the future. When we forget, we risk losing sight of God’s power and presence in our lives. [36:47]
2. Obedience and Prayer Precede Miracles The crossing of the Jordan was not a random act of God, but a response to the obedience and prayers of His people. God’s miracles are often preceded by our willingness to follow His instructions, even when the way seems impossible. Faith is not passive; it is active trust that steps into the water before it parts. [40:05]
3. Redemption Always Flows Through the Blood The story of Israel’s deliverance is inseparable from the blood of the Passover lamb, pointing forward to Christ’s sacrifice. Every testimony of salvation begins at the cross, where the blood of Jesus was shed for our redemption. No matter our background, we all start our journey of faith at the same place—at the foot of the cross. [44:03]
4. God’s Power Turns Impossibilities into Testimonies God led Israel through the Jordan at flood stage, making a dry path where none existed. He often places us in situations that seem insurmountable so that His power can be displayed. Our greatest obstacles can become the very places where God’s miraculous provision and victory are most clearly seen. [45:21]
5. God’s Promises and Goodness Are Generational The stones were not just for those who crossed the river, but for their children and grandchildren. God’s faithfulness is not limited to one moment or one generation; it is meant to be remembered, retold, and relied upon by those who come after us. Our lives and testimonies can break cycles of bondage and set a new legacy of faith for generations to come. [56:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:08] - Opening Story: The Good Trade
[31:02] - Israel’s Journey: From Egypt to the Jordan
[32:21] - The Majority Report and Wandering
[33:38] - Joshua’s Leadership and the Jordan at Flood Stage
[34:14] - The Meaning of the Jordan Crossing
[35:31] - The Priests Step into the Water
[36:11] - The Memorial Stones Commanded
[37:31] - Reading Joshua 4:19-24
[38:52] - The Stones as Memorials: Naming Their Meaning
[40:05] - The Stone of Answered Prayer
[42:02] - The Stone of Redemption Through the Blood
[44:39] - The Stone of Miraculous Possibilities
[47:12] - The Stone of Victory Over Enemies
[51:45] - The Stone of God’s Provision
[54:19] - The Stone of God’s Covenant-Keeping
[56:53] - The Stone of God’s Generational Goodness
[59:26] - Remembering and Marking God’s Faithfulness
[61:22] - The Cane with Marks: Personal Testimony
[62:01] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Joshua 4:19-24 (ESV) — 19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.
20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.
21 And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’
22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’
23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over,
24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

Observation Questions

According to Joshua 4:21-22, what was the purpose of setting up the twelve stones at Gilgal?
What specific miracles are mentioned in Joshua 4:23 that God performed for Israel?
In the sermon, what did the pastor say the Jordan River crossing symbolized for the Israelites? [[34:14]]
What are some of the “stones” or memorials the pastor named, and what do they represent? [[38:52]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God wanted the Israelites to set up a physical memorial instead of just telling the story verbally? What does this say about the importance of remembrance in faith? [[36:47]]
The pastor said the Jordan River does not represent death, but a transition into a victorious, obedient life. How does this change the way we might view obstacles or transitions in our own lives? [[34:14]]
The sermon emphasized that miracles are often preceded by obedience and prayer. Why might God require obedience before showing His power? [[40:05]]
The stones were meant for future generations. What does this teach us about the way faith and testimony should be passed down in families and communities? [[56:53]]

Application Questions

The pastor shared a story about a grandfather marking his cane for every answered prayer. Do you have any “stones” or markers in your life that remind you of God’s faithfulness? If not, what could you do to start remembering and recording God’s work in your life? [[01:01:22]]
When was the last time you shared a story of God’s faithfulness with someone younger than you—maybe a child, grandchild, or someone new to faith? What keeps you from sharing more often? [[36:47]]
The sermon talked about the “stone of answered prayer.” Can you recall a specific prayer God answered for you? How did that experience impact your faith? [[40:05]]
The “stone of redemption” points to the blood of Jesus. How does remembering your own salvation story help you face current challenges or doubts? [[44:03]]
The Israelites had to step into the water before it parted. Is there an area in your life where you sense God is asking you to step out in faith before you see the outcome? What would it look like to obey in that area this week? [[35:31]]
The sermon said God’s goodness is generational. What are some practical ways you can help pass down stories of God’s faithfulness to the next generation in your family or church? [[56:53]]
The pastor mentioned that God’s provision is not just for a season, but for a lifetime. Are there areas where you struggle to trust God’s ongoing provision? What steps can you take to grow in trust? [[52:25]]

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