Crossing Over: So That All the Earth May Know

When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’

Joshua 4:21

The story of God’s faithfulness to his people is epic. Like the best stories, it is true—and it bears telling over and over again. God made a nation from Abraham, opening aging Sarah’s womb. He reiterated his covenant promises to Isaac and to Jacob, and a family became a nation. He rescued them from Egypt, gave them leaders like Moses and Joshua, answered their cries for a king with Saul and then David, and spoke to them through prophets, priests and kings until Jesus came as the prophet, priest and king to redeem them and rescue them from sin. One day, Christ will return as judge to rule and reign, restoring all things to their rightful state. What a story!

At this juncture in the story—Israel’s crossing of the Jordan—Joshua instructed God’s people to make a monument of stones that spoke of their entrance into the promised land. When future generations saw the monument, it was to act as a “story prompt” so that their children and their children’s children might know what God had done on their behalf. But the story is not just for those on the “inside. The story is meant to be shared with everyone, so that “all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

Have you told the story of all stories lately? What “story prompts” could you use, at home or at work or in your community, to point to the drama of God’s covenant love for his children? Do the children in your own family know the story? What creative ways could you employ to tell it again?

PRAYER:

Oh God, you are good, and your mercies endure forever. By your grace I am woven into the great story of stories, “written in” to the ongoing narrative through the redeeming love of your Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God! Make me sensitive to the promptings of your Holy Spirit to tell the story, and then tell it again. Prompt me with reminders of your love and mercy toward me, so that all the earth may know of your unfailing love. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

P.S. by Mark Roberts: At certain times throughout the year, I invite others to write a few Daily Reflections. This week's reflections will be written by Leigh McLeroy. In addition to being a dear friend of mine and of The High Calling, Leigh is a writer, speaker, and a Christian with deep insight into Scripture and the Christian life. Her most recent book is Treasured: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps. I know you will be encouraged by Leigh's reflections on Joshua 3-4. I'll be back with you on Saturday.


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