Remembering God's Faithfulness: Building Our Future Together

Devotional

Day 1: Remembering God’s Faithfulness Through Memorials

God calls His people to remember His mighty acts, not just as nostalgia, but as a summons to live in light of His faithfulness. The Israelites were instructed to take stones from the very place where God parted the Jordan River and set them up as a memorial, so that future generations would ask, “What do these stones mean?” and hear the story of God’s power. These visible reminders are meant to anchor our faith, to remind us that God has made a way where there was no way, and to encourage us to trust Him for what’s ahead. Biblical remembering is not just mental recall—it’s living differently because of what God has done. [05:51]

Joshua 4:1-9 (ESV)
When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.” And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the Lord told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there. And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day.

Reflection: What is one “memorial stone” in your life—a moment where God made a way for you—and how can you share that story with someone this week?

Day 2: Passing On the Story—Faith for the Next Generation

God’s faithfulness is not just for us to experience, but to pass on to others. The stories of God’s power and provision are meant to be told and retold, so that faith rises in the next generation and even in those who do not yet know Him. When we remember and share what God has done, we help others trust Him and keep His commands. Forgetting leads to spiritual drift, but remembering together keeps us anchored in God’s truth and hope. [16:30]

Psalm 78:4-7 (ESV)
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.

Reflection: Who in your life—whether a child, friend, or someone new to faith—needs to hear a story of God’s faithfulness from you this week?

Day 3: God’s Power Exceeds Our Imagination

God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, and His purposes always overflow our petitions. We are invited to pray bold, “only God” prayers—not for more stuff, but for more of His glory, transformation, and stories that only He can write. God’s power is not limited by our plans or imagination; He delights in working through ordinary people who trust Him for extraordinary things. [27:21]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Reflection: What is one bold, “only God” prayer you can begin praying today—something so big that only God could get the glory if it happened?

Day 4: Living with Open Hands—Saying Yes to God’s Surprises

God invites us to live with open hands, open hearts, and open minds, ready to say “yes” to whatever He asks—even when it’s unexpected or beyond our plans. Faithfulness means not just looking back at what God has done, but looking forward with trust, leaving room for God to surprise us and do things we never could have imagined. Sometimes the greatest acts of God come when we are willing to step out in faith, even when we don’t see the whole path ahead. [31:26]

Habakkuk 1:5 (ESV)
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to leave room for God to surprise you, and what would it look like to say “yes” to Him before you know the outcome?

Day 5: Remembering at the Table—Hope for Today and Tomorrow

Just as the Israelites remembered God’s deliverance with stones, Jesus gave us the Lord’s Supper as a way to remember His sacrifice and resurrection. When we come to the table, we remember that God was faithful then, He is faithful now, and He will be faithful in what’s next. Communion is a time to thank Jesus for His life, death, and resurrection, and to trust Him for grace and hope for today and the future. Our stories of God’s faithfulness are not just for us—they are for the whole community, and they point us to the hope we have in Christ. [37:05]

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Reflection: As you remember Jesus’ sacrifice today, what is one area of your life where you need to trust His faithfulness for the future?

Sermon Summary

Looking back over the years, it’s clear that God’s faithfulness has been the foundation of our journey as a church and as individuals. The stories, the answered prayers, the unexpected provisions—these are not just memories, but living testimonies, “only God” stories that remind us of His power and presence. Just as the Israelites set up stones from the Jordan River as a memorial to God’s miraculous deliverance, we are called to remember and mark the places in our lives where God has made a way where there was none. These memorials are not just for nostalgia; they are summons to live in light of what God has done, to let our faith rise for the challenges ahead, and to pass on the stories of God’s faithfulness to the next generation.

Remembering, in the biblical sense, is not just mental recall—it’s living differently because of what God has done. We are to act in light of His past faithfulness, letting those stories shape our obedience and our hope. Each of us carries unique stories of God’s intervention, and together, these form a collective testimony that strengthens the whole body. Our unity as God’s people is reflected in the way each tribe, each person, had a part in building the memorial in Joshua’s day. In the same way, every story in this church matters—not just for us, but for those around us, for our children, and for those who have yet to know Jesus.

But we are not called to live only in the past. The God who was faithful then is still at work now and is not done yet. Ephesians 3:20-21 reminds us that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us. This is not a call to safe, small prayers, but to bold, “only God” prayers—prayers that stretch our faith and invite God to do what only He can do. As we look ahead, we are invited to say “yes” to God’s plans, even when they surprise us or go beyond what we could have planned ourselves. Our stories, our prayers, and our faithfulness today will become the memorial stones for the next generation. Let’s remember, let’s trust, and let’s step forward with open hands, open hearts, and open minds, ready for whatever God has in store.

Key Takeaways

1. Biblical remembering is more than nostalgia; it is a summons to live in light of God’s past faithfulness. When we recall what God has done, we are called to act differently, to trust more deeply, and to obey more fully. Our memorials—whether physical, written, or simply etched in our hearts—are meant to shape our present and future, not just our memories. [08:31]
2. Every believer’s story is a vital part of the collective testimony of God’s people. Just as each tribe had a role in building the memorial in Joshua 4, each of us has unique experiences of God’s grace that others need to hear. Sharing these stories strengthens the faith of the community and provides hope for those still waiting for their breakthrough. [12:32]
3. Forgetting God’s faithfulness leads to spiritual drift. The danger is not just in failing to remember, but in living as if we accomplished things on our own. God commands us to remember so that we remain anchored in His character and promises, especially in seasons of comfort when we are most prone to spiritual amnesia. [20:52]
4. God’s purposes always exceed our plans and imagination. Ephesians 3:20-21 is not a license for self-centered dreams, but a call to trust that God’s power is limitless and His plans for His church are greater than anything we could devise. We are invited to pray bold, “only God” prayers that seek His glory and transformation, not just our comfort. [27:21]
5. Our stories and prayers are not just for ourselves, but for the next generation and those who do not yet know Christ. The memorial stones of our lives are meant to provoke questions, invite testimony, and pass on faith. By remembering and sharing, we ensure that God’s faithfulness is known, trusted, and celebrated far beyond our own lifetimes. [16:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:50] - Looking Back: God’s Faithfulness in Our Story
[05:51] - Joshua 4: The Memorial Stones
[08:31] - The Power of Biblical Remembering
[11:43] - Carrying Something Out of the Miracle
[12:32] - Unity and the Stories We Share
[14:23] - Memorials That Speak Across Generations
[16:30] - Remembering for Each Other and the Next Generation
[17:34] - The Danger of Forgetting and the Call to Remember
[20:52] - Building Reminders into Our Lives
[22:17] - Personal and Spiritual Markers
[27:21] - God’s Purposes Beyond Our Plans
[29:01] - Praying Bold, “Only God” Prayers
[30:45] - Looking Forward: Trusting God for What’s Next
[33:20] - A Prayer of Surrender and Expectation
[35:08] - Adding New Stones of Faithfulness
[37:05] - Communion: Remembering the Ultimate “Only God” Story
[37:54] - Responding in Faith and Hope

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Joshua 4:1-9 (ESV) — When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’”
Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”
And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the Lord told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there. And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV) — Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Observation Questions

In Joshua 4, why did God instruct the Israelites to take stones from the middle of the Jordan and set them up where they camped? What was the purpose of these stones?
According to the sermon, what is the difference between the biblical idea of “remembering” and how we usually think of remembering?
In Ephesians 3:20-21, what does Paul say about God’s ability and power? How does he describe what God can do compared to what we can ask or imagine?
What role did each tribe play in building the memorial in Joshua 4, and why is that detail important?

Interpretation Questions

The stones from the Jordan were meant to be a memorial for future generations. What does this suggest about the importance of sharing stories of God’s faithfulness with others, especially those who did not experience them firsthand?
The sermon says that forgetting God’s faithfulness leads to spiritual drift. Why do you think people are more likely to forget God in times of comfort rather than in times of struggle?
Ephesians 3:20-21 is described as a call to pray “only God” prayers, not just safe or small prayers. What might it look like for a church or an individual to pray these kinds of bold prayers?
The sermon mentions that every believer’s story is a vital part of the collective testimony of God’s people. How does sharing your story impact the faith of others in the community?

Application Questions

Can you identify a “memorial stone” in your own life—a moment or story where God made a way for you? How could you share that story with someone else this week?
The sermon challenges us to remember God’s faithfulness not just for ourselves, but for the next generation and those who don’t know Jesus yet. Who in your life needs to hear about what God has done for you? How might you start that conversation?
Are there areas in your life where you have started to live as if you accomplished things on your own, forgetting God’s role? What practical steps can you take to build reminders of God’s faithfulness into your daily routine?
The Israelites each had a part in building the memorial. What is one way you can contribute your story or gifts to strengthen the faith of our church community?
Ephesians 3:20-21 invites us to pray bold, “only God” prayers. What is one specific prayer you can begin praying that is so big only God could answer it? Are you willing to share it with the group for encouragement and accountability?
The sermon warns about spiritual amnesia in comfortable times. What is one comfort or routine in your life that might be making you less aware of God’s presence and faithfulness? How can you adjust your habits to stay spiritually alert?
Looking ahead, what is one area where you sense God might be inviting you to say “yes” to something unexpected or outside your plans? What would it look like to step forward with open hands, open hearts, and open minds?

Sermon Clips

God wants us to remember those doors that were shut before he opened them. God wants us to remember those moments we thought it was over and he wasn't done yet. God doesn't want us to remember those things so we dwell there. He doesn't want us to remember those things so we think man my life was horrible. That's not why he wants us to remember those things. He wants us to remember so that later on when we call those things to mind we can like the Israelites think this is where God made dry ground under my wet feet. This is where God brought me through something I never thought I was going to get through. [00:11:49] (34 seconds) #RememberForFreedom

``And they do more than just cause us to look backwards. They also cause us to look forward. Those stones in the book of Joshua. All that pile of stones. If you really believe that Jesus is seen in every Old Testament story, those stones point forward to what? They point forward to another stone that one day would seal a tomb and be rolled away when the Son of God would come forth. The very same Spirit of God that caused the water to pile up in one city and cut off to a bunch of other cities is the very same Spirit of God that woke Jesus up from the dead. And it's the same Spirit of God that dwells in you if you are a believer. [00:13:27] (35 seconds) #StonesPointToJesus

We need to remember God's faithfulness but we need to remember it so that we can look forward we need to remember God's faithfulness so that we can look forward god is faithful yes but he's not done yet god is faithful but but he's not done and what he has done reminds us that he's not done [00:23:48] (19 seconds) #RememberToLookForward

What if the size of our prayers revealed the size of our God? How big is your God according to your prayers? Is he this limitless, immeasurably more God that Paul writes about that Jesus presents to us through the New Testament? Or if we put God in this little box to where if he moves, it's only in a nice way. [00:28:54] (23 seconds) #PrayersRevealGodsSize

If you're driving and you only stare in the rearview mirror, how good does that do? Rearview mirrors are infinitely smaller than a windshield, right? Why? Because you need to look forward to drive. Same thing is true with God. We are faithful to the past as God has been faithful, but we want to look to what He has for us next. [00:30:34] (20 seconds) #LookForwardNotBack

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