The Crossing of the Jordan | Part Two

Joshua 3-4

Once the Israelites crossed the Jordan, God didn't have them offer a sacrifice. He didn't have them feast or fast. He had them stack 12 stones from the riverbed as a reminder.

Their greatest danger at this point is that they might forget God's faithfulness. They had always been this way.

I'll prove it: In Exodus 13, God brought them out of Egyptian slavery with a mighty hand and many miracles. They started a yearly feast and a tradition associated with their firstborn to remember it; yet by chapter 14 they lost their faith because of an approaching army.

So God parted the Red Sea to deliver them, an unbelievable miracle. In chapter 15, Moses taught the nation a song of remembrance; yet by chapter 16, they lost their faith again because they were thirsty and hungry.

So God provided water and food to eat (manna from heaven). God instructed them to keep some manna in a jar to pass down to future generations so they wouldn't forget God's faithfulness; yet by chapter 17 they lost their faith yet again because of thirst. And on it goes until they finally create their own little god in the form of a calf.

Israel was prone to look ahead to the dangers of the future and forget about the provision of the past. Now, on the other side of the Jordan, they have another chance. God instructs them to stack stones so that when their children see them, they'll ask and hear the story of God's faithfulness at the Jordan River.

What does this mean for us? We must work to remember God's faithfulness. If we don't work to remember God's faithfulness, we'll forget. If we forget, we'll lapse into despair and disaster.

Don't let an instance of God's faithfulness go unremembered. Write it in a journal. Put a reminder on your refrigerator. Plant a tree. Do something to serve as a reminder so that when you're up against a danger again, you won't feel like it's the first time.

Husbands and fathers, add this to your job description. This is a way to protect and provide spiritually for your family. Don't let them forget God's faithfulness. Work with your wives on this because their ideas and memories will certainly be better than yours. But initiate it.

We're facing an epidemic of spiritual Alzheimer's. Our memories of God's work in our lives vanish, leaving us terrified. Let's fight this disease together.

*If you've thought of a creative way to remember God's faithfulness, participate in our Facebook discussion.