Memorial of Stones
- Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
- Jun 25, 2018
- 3 min read
"These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." -Joshua 4:7
Why was it so important for the people of Israel for those stones to be a memorial? It was because God wanted them to always remember what He did for them!
Without him, they could do nothing. God told them to go into the middle of the Jordan, and these were not little rocks. They were rocks that they had to put on their shoulders and carry back. Let me tell you about the Jordan River. It is 251 meters long and 10KM deep. This is no little river! God commanded Joshua to pick 12 men from the 12 Tribes of Israel to take upon their shoulders a rock and place it down as a memorial. This was as a sign to them, and when their children asked about it, they were to tell them that God had cut off the flow of the Jordan for them to cross over to their promised land. I believe that God allows the trials of life to become “memorial stones!” Now, let’s face it, our burdens, trials, and temptations feel so heavy on our shoulders. The road is hard, and we stumble and fall. Sometimes we can’t see where we are going because it is dark, and the sky is gloomy and stormy. Yet God sent them into the middle of a river! Rivers are not ponds. They are dangerous, and they are fierce. He didn’t tell them to choose a rock near land. He didn’t ask them to pick little rocks! He had them pick a rock that had to be carried on their shoulders. This was hard although God’s will is never easy, is it? God had Jesus walk the road of Gethsemane. It was a painful walk. Jesus didn’t want to walk it. He asked his father, “Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me, but nevertheless not my will but yours be done." Has God asked you to get into the middle of your private Jordan, and pick up a rock to carry on your shoulders? Perhaps He asked you to walk through a hard time. He might be asking you to go into the depths of the trial, but rest assured the victory is yours. shoulders? Perhaps He asked you to walk through a hard time. He might be asking you to go into the depths of the trial, but rest assured the victory is yours. However, the trials turn out, the victory is yours through Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior! Take the trial you are facing and dedicate it to the Lord. Honor Him in it, and dedicate the outcome to Him. Let this be a monument that is filled with praises to our God. Use your words to be a sweet aroma, anointed, and seasoned to prepare your loved ones and friends to see a memorial of the greatness of your God in your Jordan, the trials that God asks you to walk through; He wants to use them to get you closer to Him and to speak to those who come in contact with you and after you of the faithfulness of your God. Those rocks were heavy; it was not an easy task God had them do. Imagine walking through water, not knowing what types of fish they were encountering, slippery and mighty rushing. Yet, they faithfully did what God asked them to do, all carried them back, and all 12 were kept safe. God did it before, He can and will do it again. Look towards all the trials of your life as rocks that you will allow God to build a memorial of your life which will stand forever as a testimony of victory, trust, and faith in the greatness of your God!
Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me Your goodness for You are the God of goodness. You, O God, have proven Yourself faithful and demonstrate Your greatness every day. Thank You for allowing me the privilege of knowing You. Teach me Your ways, and guide me through whatever comes my way. Be my Refuge in times of storm and help me to always remember all You have done for me so that I might proclaim Your goodness and speak of the awesome things You have done for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
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