Remembering

I will remember the Lord’s works; yes I will remember your ancient wonders. I will reflect on all you have done and meditate on your actions. 

Psalms 77:11-12

If you read through Psalms 77, you will find that the psalmist was in a tough spot, in deep distress. He opened his heart to the Lord, and he was honest about how he was feeling. Then he turned his attention to what the Lord had done. He remembered God’s goodness and His mercy. 

In Joshua 4, The Lord told Joshua to choose 12 men to take 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan river after they had crossed it with the ark of the covenant. The Lord had stopped the flow of the river so the Israelites could cross. Check out Joshua for the whole story - there is SO much to learn in these few chapters. 

But let’s focus on the stones. After the men carried the stones out of the riverbed, Joshua set up the stones in their camp. They were huge, by the way. He did this so that this will be a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean to you?' you should tell them, 'The waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the Lord's covenant. When it crossed the Jordan, the Jordan's waters were cut off.' Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites" (Joshua 4:6-7 CSB). 

So when we are in those moments of silence/waiting or when we are going through a tough time and no end is in sight, we can do what they did. Remember. Do you need to set up some stones in remembrance of what the Lord has done in your life? I think I do. Then when we look at them, we know that the Lord was faithful then, and He will be faithful in this next thing. It’s who He is.  

Lord, thank you for Your faithfulness and goodness that is woven throughout our lives. Help me remember when my soul is weary. I will reflect and meditate on You and what You have done in my life.

Julie Smith