LEARNING DAILY

 

Joshua 4:6-7, ”that this might be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘what do these stones mean?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stories shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

 

“This chapter presents the dynamic truth that the hope of the future is based on the memories of the past, and this hope, gives meaning to the future.” (notes from the DJSB) God gave Joshua directions to build a monument to what He had done regarding the crossing of the Jordan River. Joshua gave this direction to the people so their crossing into the Promised land would be remembered. This was not a new idea as monuments were often built to recognize and remember what God had done in the past.

 

God desired that His people always be concerned about the faith of their children. Read what is recorded in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” God is still concerned about the faith of our children; He still desires we teach our children and grandchildren about Him. As much as I enjoy talking about the Lord, I believe we teach best through how we live our lives. Our children and grandchildren are watching all of the time to see if how we live matches what we say!

 

The stones were set up to be a teaching tool, an occasion for parents to teach their children about God’s power and faithfulness. Through this teaching, the children might be taught to fear the Lord because of what He had done. It is interesting how easily it is to forget what God has done in a time of need or crisis. He provides protection or, perhaps, heals a person, showing His great power in a time of need. Yet, God’s leading or His intervention in something is forgotten when the next situation needing His attention occurs. The situation or circumstance is looked at instead of looking to the One in control of all things. I believe we are all guilty, to some degree, about looking to Him only after we have tried to fix the situation ourselves; we forget too easily what God has done in the past. So, the stones were set as a memorial. God did not want the people to forget. God wanted them to teach their children to build their faith in order to know how great God is and that He works in their lives.

 

I stop today by asking you to go back to the quote from the notes in the DJSB. We study the Word of God to build our faith to believe the Lord is with us as He was with those who crossed the Jordan River. As we face the trial of today, we remember what God has done for those who place their trust, their faith, their hope in Him. That gives us hope to face not only today but to face whatever tomorrow brings! I believe that to be a word for all of us to consider!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB.