Devotion for October 3, 2008

Are You a Testimony to God’s Mighty Hand?

“And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: "Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, "and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’" Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them: "Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, "that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones [mean] to you?’” (Joshua 4:1-6 NKJV)

 “And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What [are] these stones?’ "then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; "for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, "that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it [is] mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” (Joshua 4:20-24 NKJV)

What God did at the Jordan River and before at the Red Sea was an awesome display of power. God transcended the laws of nature holding back with His will the waters of those great bodies, and not only did He hold the waters back He dried up the earth so that His people walked on firm ground. These two acts would be spoken of for centuries to come. In fact, God wanted to make sure they were remembered so He instructs Joshua to build a memorial of stones.

Today we look back at these miracles with awe, and sometimes think mistakenly what a blessing it would have been to see them with our own eyes. I say mistakenly for to see them we would have needed to live before the resurrection of Christ under the Law.

Let us not forget the great miracle God has done in the resurrection. What is it for God to hold back some water when He can raise a man from the dead? Don’t hear me wrong I don’t want to diminish what God did in the past, but want us to look to what God is doing now! He raised Jesus from the dead, and if you are saved He has raised you from the dead spiritually and someday physically. This was a miracle with significant consequences.

Now consider this. Can you look at your life and say in good conscience, “My son I want you to look at my life and see how God has done a mighty work?” Otherwise, can he look at your life and see the power of God at work? I hope and pray that there are at least times when that is so. Now in all fairness we all have times when we are not where God wants us to be.

God would not always be parting waters in Israel’s sight. Therefore, He commanded a memorial be erected. However, we are not to be memorials made of stone, but living sacrifices. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all [who are] in the house. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’” (Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV)

My dear friends what God has done in you is miraculous. Guard it with all diligence that others might see the mighty hand of God. Should you find the need to hang your head after hearing these words, do not give up. Yes let your sorrows sink deep into your heart, cry out to God in repentance, but don’t give up.

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be [dislocated], but rather be healed.” (Hebrews 12:11-13 NKJV)