Verse of the Day

“⁶ that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ ⁷ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

Joshua 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Quote of the Day

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

– Corrie ten Boom

Reflection

Many of us would do better to rest our confidence in God’s unchanging character and unshakeable promises (Hebrews 13:8). While we have seen His provision time after time, it doesn’t always fortify our faith the way it should (Philippians 4:19). It’s safe to say that is at least one facet of why the Israelites were commissioned by God to set up a memorial. 

The memorial would consist of twelve stones, each representing one of the tribes of Israel. They would commemorate how God’s providence had empowered them to cross the Jordan River miraculously. Future generations would possess an undeniable memory of God’s provision to their forefathers for many years to come.

It’s intriguing to me that after such a significant breakthrough, God desired for His people to pause and reflect on His goodness (James 1:17). Before Jericho came into view, God wanted Israel to remember the Jordan. How many times has He answered our prayers and blessed us along the way? It’s not to say we’re not thankful, but I suspect I am not the only one who sometimes forgets to pause, appreciate, reflect, and acknowledge how faithful God has been in my life.

God likely doesn’t need us to design a memorial for us to properly apply the lesson here. The point isn’t necessarily for us to perform in a way that justifies what God has done, although I would say living a sanctified life is part of the journey. However, it’s a crucial lesson for all of us to remember how far we’ve come because God’s grace fueled our arrival.

Instead of asking for the next blessing, why don’t we thank Him for the many we’ve already received (Psalm 103:2)? 

Instead of playing with fire and succumbing to temptation, maybe we can re-focus on God’s faithfulness despite the many times we’ve sinned against Him (Proverbs 6:27, 1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Instead of ruminating on the obstacles, failures, or fears we face, perhaps we can hold more tightly to how much greater, more majestic, and infinitely capable our God is (Jeremiah 32:17, Romans 8:31)?

No matter how you slice it, there’s room to grow in contentment, gratitude, and genuine appreciation for God’s presence, character, and significance in our lives.

Application

Today’s verse of the day isn’t a call to stay stuck in the past or to worry about the future. It’s about taking a moment to recognize what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do in our lives, according to His timing.

When you faced hardship, trials, and setbacks, do you remember your prayers? Now, when you look back in the rearview mirror with that in mind, does it hit you how far you’ve come? God’s track record in your life deserves remembrance. Your life is a testimony to His grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness.

If God was faithful to provide you with ways of escape from temptation, His presence to provide you with peace amid chaos, fortitude to stay steadfast in the faith, and strength to persevere in every circumstance, doesn’t that offer you the hope and courage you need for today? Isn’t that all He really asks of us? We must focus on each day as it comes because each carries enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

As today’s quote shares, we can absolutely trust an unknown future to a known God. Today’s blessings were yesterday’s hopes and prayers. Tomorrow’s dreams stem from today’s faithfulness, hope, and prayer too. We cannot grow weary and merely give up now; we’ve come much too far (Galatians 6:9).

You may wonder, “Victor that’s all great and I agree with a lot of your points, but how do I keep track of all of it?” I am glad you asked!

Maybe it’s a note in the margins of a verse that is speaking to you in this season.

Maybe it’s a journal full of your prayers and praise reports that demonstrate God’s unfailing love in your life.

Maybe it’s taking a few moments with a loved one to share how God delivered you from trouble, provided a solution, or gave you an extraordinary opportunity at the perfect time.

What it’s not is easily forgetting how far you have come and what God is doing in your life. From the outside looking in, people may see someone who hasn’t changed from when they last met you. On the surface, your life may look identical to how it looked 6 months, a year, or even several years ago. 

But God knows you better than everyone else! He knows the insecurities you’ve overcome, the mental burdens you’ve finally confronted and released, the anger in your heart that you surrendered, and the systematic removal of sin from your life.

External success in the eyes of the world may or may not come, but what matters most is that God sees everything. The things that no one else knows about you, He does. He knows you better than you know yourself, loves you more than you are capable of loving yourself, and wants to see you continue to acquire unrelenting confidence, boldness, and faith in Him.

What are the stones of remembrance that God wants you to collect in your life? Take a few minutes to recognize them before God today in your quiet time and prayer. If we make this a habit, we’ll live in the consistent knowledge that God always gives us what we need. 

Our timelines may differ, and our desires may not align, but we can rest assured that we can do no better than to surrender the final say to Him. There’s no better place to reside than in the center of God’s will for your life.

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You, Father, for Your countless provisions. I have failed many times, but You have seen it fit to give me another chance. Please help me remember the many ways You’ve remained faithful in my life, and help me continually repent of my sins. Please help me align with Your will and recognize that Your plans are infinitely wiser and eternally better than anything I could devise on my own.

Thank You for positioning me in circumstances that reflect outstanding privileges, immense liberties, and great responsibility in Your eyes. You’ve entrusted me with what I know is much more than I deserve, and as such, I desire nothing more than to meet your expectations of me with Your supernatural help.

I acknowledge today that without Jesus Christ, I am nothing. Without Him, I wouldn’t offer any eternal value or lasting significance to myself or others. But I thank You wholeheartedly for His presence in my life. Your Son empowers me to do far more than I could ever do alone.

Jesus Christ, Your Son, is the Vine and I am one of His branches. Thank You for offering me the gift of eternal life through Him. Thank You for enabling me to serve You, build Your kingdom, and pursue righteousness by His grace for Your glory.

Please help me stack those stones of remembrance so that I never forget the ways You have come through for me and those around me. 

You’ve rescued me from the chains of various addictions. You’ve picked me up and restored my health from several hospitalizations. You’ve positioned me to contribute to Your kingdom and given me the privilege of storing up Heavenly treasures. If I didn’t have You, I would have perished in my sins long ago, but You’ve seen it fit to redeem my life for Your glory and my good. 

Please help me not to lose sight of all this and continue to stand firm in victory with Your Son, Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that He is with me now and forever. As You fill me with Your Holy Spirit, I ask that You continue to empower me to serve You every day.

I pray in Jesus Christ’s precious, holy, and mighty name.

Amen.