Humans are hardwired with a desire to retrace things that have happened. We want to mull over the past, retrace our steps, and hold onto the precious moments. God made us this way: we’re meant to remember.
A way to remember
There’s an interesting account in the book of Joshua concerning remembrance. The people of Israel witnessed the Jordan River part. It was a miracle experienced by everyone as they walked across on dry land. Joshua chose twelve men (one from each of the tribes) and had them take a stone from the river bed. The stones would serve as a memorial for the people and their children, and their children’s children. Why? We see the reason in the text.
“When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ Then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.” Joshua 4:6b-7 (ESV).
The people were to remember the provision of God. Israel was to pass on the memory of the miracle to their children. It was a statement of faith, a call to remembrance: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was their guide. The Lord had made a way where there wasn’t one. Here we see the the historical significance for the people at the time. God wanted his people to remember the miracle. The memorial was to be a call to praise, unto the next generations.
In addition to the historical context, we also see the importance placed upon remembering the provision of the Lord. Believers, it is good for us to bless the Lord! It is good to remember his faithfulness. There are so many places in my own life where I can stop and marvel at God’s provision. Time and time again, when he made a way where there was no way.
Dear friends during this time of gratitude, wherever we find ourselves, may our memories be filled with the amazing things God has done! Happy Thanksgiving!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13 (ESV).
*Labor of Lilies is setting aside the week of Thanksgiving to celebrate this time of gratitude! See you next week!
