“Take up hence out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging-place where ye shall lodge this night.” (v. 3)
“When your children ask hereafter, saying, What mean ye by these stones? then ye shall say to them, That the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah; when it went through the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.” (v. 6-7)
Joshua 4:3 & 6-7 (DBY)
Jody stood at the edge of the road, tears flowing as he watched the destruction crew demolish the old church. To him, this church was more than just wood and paint. Many of his earliest memories were contained in that building. Most importantly, as an eleven year old, he had prayed at its altar to receive Christ as his Savior. Pastor Johnson had stood there and proclaimed the grace of God for those who would believe. It was a “holy ground” moment when Jody had gone forward and accepted Christ’s gift. This building served as a memorial to the miracle of God’s grace in Jody’s life.
Of course, Jody knew that destroying the building did not destroy his experience of grace but he wondered how many others would be troubled by the loss of this memorial. He wanted to scream out to the world, “This is where the waters of sin in my life were cut off before God. This is a memorial to God’s work in my life! It is holy ground!”
This experience was dear to Jody. He wondered if he would ever be able to adequately explain it to his children. This memorial wouldn’t be there to help. This special building, which housed a special experience, would no longer testify to the miracles within. Time takes its toll but memorials are precious to those who establish them.
Dear Father, thank you for the memorial of the Cross of Calvary. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Enable us to remember the experience of your power in our lives. Empower us to refresh the inner person so that your power is evident today. In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his miraculous power and live for his glory,
Pastor Smith