Stop Before Going Forward
Come with me to the banks of The Jordan River, and listen in on a conversation between Joshua and the Israelites. (paraphrased)
“Stop! Don’t go any further,” said Joshua.
“But, Joshua, our fathers wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, and they didn’t believe it could be done. But, here we are, the younger generation ready to go up against the enemy and take Jericho. Let’s go get’em!”
“Not until you gather up 12 stones and build a memorial,” Joshua answered.
The men did as they were told, but the big question on their minds was “why?”
Reading their thoughts, Joshua answered, “In the future when your children ask, ‘what is this monument for’, you can tell them, ‘It is to remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of God went across! The monument will be a permanent reminder to the people of Israel of this amazing miracle.” (Joshua 4:6-7)
What does this passage of scripture have to do with becoming all God created us to be as this website advocates?
My thinking is this:
- In our haste to move forward with our dreams and visions, we often fail to give thanks for what God has already brought us through.
- Another thought I have had after dwelling on this passage of scripture for several weeks now is this: “why not have some type of memento sitting on your desk or kitchen counter as a permanent reminder of an amazing miracle God has done in your life. Not only is this an opportunity for you to tell your children and grandchildren, but it will lift you up on days of discouragement.
By the way, another thing the people had to do before going forward was repent of their sins. Ugh! I’ll save that story for another day, less the Holy Spirit reminds me of my sins, too.