Memorial Stones

Sam Stringer

Dec 3, 2024

Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every

tribe; and Joshua said to them: "Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the

Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the

children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying,`What

do these stones mean to you?' Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off

before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were

cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever."

Joshua 4:4-7

In my home, we have a particular jar full of rocks. On those rocks, my wife has written with silver permanent marker

some special events in our marriage where we saw and knew that God did something great for us. Various

ministries, times of provision, all sorts of things that remind us of what God did to encourage us in the future. Now

where did we put that jar? I’m kidding, and kind of not kidding. How easy it is to fill up a jar with stones that remind

us of things God has done only to lose track of the jar.

In very similar fashion, it’s so human as a Christian to have had many great things happen along your way only to

completely blank on them as you face the present or the future. God has given you and I so many wonderful

moments where He’s proved His greatness to us in personal ways. He could have left it at just trusting the Bible,

but God has chosen to also call each of us into a unique story where we learn first-hand His goodness and

providence. There is a reason that God calls us to remember, and to take note; we forget, and when we forget, we

become doubtful, discouraged, distracted (and I’m sure a whole lot more D words if I put my mind to it).

The Israelites did not pass through water on dry ground once, but twice. Everyone usually thinks of the Exodus

from Egypt, but there’s other places like we see in Joshua. Did you know that? Beyond the groups going through

water, we also see Elisha and Elijah crossing over on dry ground when Elijah strikes the water with his mantle. 2

Kings 2:8 says, “Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that,

so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.” I think it would be hard to imagine that anybody who has ever

walked on dry ground through parted waters would forget that. Here’s the thing: we don’t always forget the event,

but sometimes we forget God’s hand in the event. We have a way of downplaying the significance of activities that

were beyond belief and quite monumental in our lives when they happened. It’s like seeing the Grand Canyon, but

then building a house next to it, waking up to see the view every day and in no short time losing the awe factor.

Joshua tasked the twelve appointed men to grab twelve stones from the dry riverbed where they had just walked so

they would have those stones to remind the twelve tribes of Israel of when they walked through there, but more

importantly, when God made them to walk through there. It was to be a reminder not just to those who did it, but to

the generations to come as well. By placing the stones wherever they did, it would provoke curiosity as well as

invite a recounting for both the listener and the speaker.

What great things has God done in your life? Do you try to think about them? Do you look for places to be thankful?

Have you ever thought about making a list, keeping a journal, praying in gratitude or even writing on your own

stones? Do things to refresh your memory of the greatness of God, so when you face uncertain times especially,

you will remember all those ways God took care of you in the past. God is worthy of our trust, but He’s also

gracious to us to help us in growing to trust Him. Perhaps even taking some moments to think about what He’s

done lately and to thank Him for it might help you become more brave to go do other things for Him that your fears

might prevent you from. If we really tried, I promise you that there are not enough rocks in this world to write words

of praise on for all that God has done for us. Be blessed.

Sam Stringer

rights reserved.

Memorial Stones

Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every

tribe; and Joshua said to them: "Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the

Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the

children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying,`What

do these stones mean to you?' Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off

before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were

cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever."

Joshua 4:4-7

In my home, we have a particular jar full of rocks. On those rocks, my wife has written with silver permanent marker

some special events in our marriage where we saw and knew that God did something great for us. Various

ministries, times of provision, all sorts of things that remind us of what God did to encourage us in the future. Now

where did we put that jar? I’m kidding, and kind of not kidding. How easy it is to fill up a jar with stones that remind

us of things God has done only to lose track of the jar.

In very similar fashion, it’s so human as a Christian to have had many great things happen along your way only to

completely blank on them as you face the present or the future. God has given you and I so many wonderful

moments where He’s proved His greatness to us in personal ways. He could have left it at just trusting the Bible,

but God has chosen to also call each of us into a unique story where we learn first-hand His goodness and

providence. There is a reason that God calls us to remember, and to take note; we forget, and when we forget, we

become doubtful, discouraged, distracted (and I’m sure a whole lot more D words if I put my mind to it).

The Israelites did not pass through water on dry ground once, but twice. Everyone usually thinks of the Exodus

from Egypt, but there’s other places like we see in Joshua. Did you know that? Beyond the groups going through

water, we also see Elisha and Elijah crossing over on dry ground when Elijah strikes the water with his mantle. 2

Kings 2:8 says, “Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that,

so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.” I think it would be hard to imagine that anybody who has ever

walked on dry ground through parted waters would forget that. Here’s the thing: we don’t always forget the event,

but sometimes we forget God’s hand in the event. We have a way of downplaying the significance of activities that

were beyond belief and quite monumental in our lives when they happened. It’s like seeing the Grand Canyon, but

then building a house next to it, waking up to see the view every day and in no short time losing the awe factor.

Joshua tasked the twelve appointed men to grab twelve stones from the dry riverbed where they had just walked so

they would have those stones to remind the twelve tribes of Israel of when they walked through there, but more

importantly, when God made them to walk through there. It was to be a reminder not just to those who did it, but to

the generations to come as well. By placing the stones wherever they did, it would provoke curiosity as well as

invite a recounting for both the listener and the speaker.

What great things has God done in your life? Do you try to think about them? Do you look for places to be thankful?

Have you ever thought about making a list, keeping a journal, praying in gratitude or even writing on your own

stones? Do things to refresh your memory of the greatness of God, so when you face uncertain times especially,

you will remember all those ways God took care of you in the past. God is worthy of our trust, but He’s also

gracious to us to help us in growing to trust Him. Perhaps even taking some moments to think about what He’s

done lately and to thank Him for it might help you become more brave to go do other things for Him that your fears

might prevent you from. If we really tried, I promise you that there are not enough rocks in this world to write words

of praise on for all that God has done for us. Be blessed.

Sam Stringer

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All

rights reserved.