It’s interesting what people will choose to save as a memento from a particular event or activity. For example, a person might save a ticket stub to remember a special date or a program from a favorite music concert.
In Joshua Chapter 4 God instructed His people to collect mementos so that His works would be remembered. Prior to this instruction, in Chapter 3 we learn that the Israelites needed to cross the Jordan River on their pilgrimage to the promised land. Even though the Jordan River was at flood stage, God caused the water to stop flowing, enabling the Israelites to safely cross over on dry land. Joshua 4:1-6a records that after the people were all safely across, God instructed them to take twelve stones from the middle of the river to serve as a sign among them.
Joshua 4:6b-7 says: 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. When it crossed the Jordan , the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.
What serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in your life?
Can you point to specific photos that remind you of a season when you witnessed God’s presence or provision?
Do you keep in sight a semblance of a cross to recall the cost Christ paid for you and the victory He desires to achieve in your life?
Have you marked a Scripture passage in your Bible to denote a specific time when God’s promises proved true in your life?
When your children and future grandchildren ask about the meaning of some of your keepsakes, will you be able to use these to point them to Christ?