For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”
—Joshua 4:23-24
The LORD brought the Israelites miraculously through the Jordan River during the flood season because of his loving grace and to fulfill his promises to his people. He was also making an important statement about himself to his people. He always wanted Israel to "reverence" him. In addition, he wanted Israel's enemies to quake with fear. They did. God won a great victory for himself and his people because of their faith.
In Joshua 4, God/s people were on their way into the Promised Land after all those years of wilderness wandering. The Jordan River was at flood stage, so how would they all cross it? God miraculously stopped up the river the moment the feet of the priests hit the water, and Israel marched right in. And God told them to do something special on the way: He told them to take 12 stones out of the middle of that Jordan River bed and take them into the Promised Land along with them. They camped at Gilgal, east of Jericho, and they set those 12 stones up. And Joshua said in 4:21, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What so these stones mean?', then you shall inform your children, saying, 'Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.' For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed … THAT all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty …".
What did those stones mean? They meant that God had done great work in their midst — and those stones were there to ensure they did not forget it.
We need to recognize that it is God's plan and purpose that we are living out here — and the fact that it is GOD'S plan is both a great privilege and a great responsibility:
— What a privilege it is for us: to be a part of something that GOD HIMSELF is doing in our world — in our town. And God HAS been working, hasn't He? It is a privilege to be a part of that!
I. These stones mean that God had a purpose.
II. These stones mean there was a leader with vision.
III. These stones mean there is a people who follow.
IV. These stones mean there is a church here with a MISSION!
PLEASE PRAY TO ME: Holy and majestic God, you are clothed in righteousness and glory. I want to always treat you with the respect and reverence you deserve. Please forgive me for the times when I was not as reverent or respectful of you as you deserve. Forgive me when I didn't hold your name up as holy when others used it in vain. You are worthy of my life, my love, and my all. I want to bring praise to you now and forever. In Jesus' name, I pray. AMEN.
GOD BLESS YOU.