contemplation: memorial stones

As the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God instructed Joshua to choose a representative from each one of the twelves tribes of Israel.  These representatives were to take twelve boulders, carry them onto the Land of Promise and make a memorial.  He also instructed these men to make a memorial of twelve boulders in the middle of the Jordan river.   

The purpose of these memorials were for two reasons.  The first reason was for future generations.  When their children and children’s children see the stones and 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”, Joshua 4:21-23.  The second reason was so that all the nations of the earth would know that the Lord is might and that the nation would fear the Lord God forever, Joshua 4:24  

I have understood the concept of the memorial stones taken from the Jordan and placed on the land but until recently I did not understand the twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan.  I have wondered how would the future generations even know that those stones were there being covered by the river. Then, I recently I read that there are times that the Jordan river not only has its flood seasons but also has its low seasons.  There are times that the water level of the Jordan river is low especially during times of drought and famine.  And then it hit me.  

It is during these difficult times that the stones become visible!  And during those times the Israelites will see the “stones”s of God’s faithfulness, power, presence and goodness in the midst of difficulty!  

So, instead of focusing on the water level their eyes would focus on the memorial stones to renew, refresh their faith and call upon the Name of the Lord! 

How about you?  What do you see when the “water level is low”?  Now, go and get your own "boulder" and set up a memorial of the faithfulness and power of God  so that when the water is low in your life, you will see His goodness there.