"These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever." Joshua 4:7
“A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.” So goes the familiar Chinese proverb, and so goes the lesson found in Joshua 3:15-17 and 4:5-7. God had promised the land of Canaan to the Israelites, but they had to claim it. While the land was there waiting, so were the intimidating enemies. Hmmm… Maybe God allows some unwanted things to remain in our lives to help us remember our need to depend on Him.
Not only were there challenges looming of fighting fierce inhabitants of the promised land, but the Israelites faced the obstacle of having to cross the Jordan River at the height of the flood season. They must have been fearful to enter the fast- moving current, but how else could they enter the land of promise? Scripture records that the rushing waters did not recede until the priests took the first steps off the shore into the water, carrying the ark of the covenant. As they moved forward, they found themselves walking on dry ground. They must have carried with them the memory of how God had done the same for Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea. It was God’s Presence that provided safe passage then and His Presence was with His people now. And so that the people would not forget that, the Lord commanded Joshua to have twelve men take twelve stones from where the priests’ feet stood firm in the Jordan to carry with them to their lodging places as “a memorial unto the children of Israel forever,” so that when the children asked the meaning of the stones, they could tell the story of how God held back the Jordan waters for safe passage into the promised land.
How often I have hesitated before troubled waters, fearing I would surely be overwhelmed by the latest storm ravaging my life. If it were up to me, I might have remained stuck in the moment, questioning, doubting, even regressing in my faith journey. But thankfully, it was not up to me. The Bible became my GPS, helping me to regain my sense of direction, with verses like Romans 8:14 reminding me what it means to be led by the Spirit. And the same promises spoken by Moses to the Israelite assembly are mine to claim: “If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into...a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us" (Numbers 14:8). God’s Word and its promises carried me through to claim new victories in new life stations and following His lead, I gained a greater understanding of who God is in comparison to what my challenges are.
Sometimes the route to the “land flowing with milk and honey” doesn’t look like what I had in mind, but faith reminds me that the best is yet to come. So along the way, I gather memorial stones –recollections of places where I’ve experienced special blessings, encounters with God. His presence, purpose and power have led me safe thus far, but first every new challenge has required taking the risk of trusting Him and not letting fear keep my feet frozen on what seems familiar, comfortable and solid ground. Moving forward under His leadership not only brings blessing to me, but creates the story to share with my children and grandchildren of how God “held back the Jordan” so that I could “step into His promises.”