The Story Behind Setting Up Stones

Many times throughout the Old Testament God's people would set up stones as memorials to something special God had done. You know the type of things that are so amazing, they are worthy of being remembered. Things you hope are talked about for generations to come. Like Jacob, who after wrestling with God all night, set up the stone he had used as a pillow and declared that place to be a place where God lives. (Gen.28:22) And Samuel who, after God helped him defeat his enemy, set up a stone and named the place "Ebenezer" saying "Thus far the LORD helped us." (1 Sam.7:7-12)

My favorite example of this is found in Joshua 4. God had cut off the flow of the Jordan river allowing the Israelites to cross over into the promised land on dry ground. When the Israelites were safely across God gave the command for twelve stones, one for each tribe of Israel, to be taken from the middle of the Jordan river and set up as a memorial. Then God said "In the future when your children ask you "What do these stones means?" 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." Joshua 4:6&7

I love that! I love that God in his sovereignty knows we need reminders. Big, huge stone like post-a-notes that remind us that God did something amazing. He knows we need to be reminded of his faithfulness, provision, protection, guidance and love in order to trust him more deeply. That's what I pray my life and this simple blog are, reminders. A place where, mixed in with all the silliness and craziness of everyday life, you will see reminders (stones set up) that our God has done amazing things. And I pray that by being reminded, your faith and mine will be strengthened. May God will be glorified. Amen