We are familiar with the concept of memorial stones. Stones are carved out and engraved to remember loved ones who have passed. Oftentimes plaques are attached to large stones and placed at the site of historical events. Sometimes stones are engraved with information on businesses occupying a particular location.
As I get older, memories play a bigger part of my life. I enjoy looking through photo albums or digital photos to remember special events. Family pictures help me to relive highlights of years passed. If we didn’t have photos and mementos from our past, it would be difficult to enjoy the good times in remembrance.
God commanded the Israelites to make altars periodically to commemorate the great works that He did on their behalf. One such memorial is described in Joshua 4:6-7; “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.” God had just miraculously stopped the flow of the Jordan River. All the people of Israel had crossed the Jordan safely on dry land. Once they were on the other side, they made an altar of stones taken from the middle of the river. The altar remained on the site to remind the people of what God had done.
When troubles come our way, we can become hardened by the circumstances. Remembering what God has done for us in the past gives us strength and hope to face current and future struggles. I do not have masonry skills, so I use pictures as memorials. Perhaps you have carpentry abilities to build memorials. Maybe you have crafting skills to make awesome memorials. These memorials bring light to the darkness that can surround us. Get started today so that tomorrow may look a little brighter.
Reluctant Retiree 