God’s Glory Through the Promised Land
Joshua Chapter 4, Exodus 14: 21-22, Psalm 119:90
We have seen God’s glory as he led the Israelites out of Egypt by Moses. Through the Lord, Moses was able to deliver his people from Pharoah, lead them across the Dead Sea, into the wilderness, and then outside of the promised land. The story of Joshua picks up after Moses has died, and Joshua is called by the Lord to lead his people into the promised land. Big shoes to fill, no doubt. But the Lord is with Joshua throughout the entire book as he brings his people to the promised land, battles the Canaanites, and then ultimately divides up the land into the 12 tribes.
In the big picture of this story, it's evident that God had his hand in every single step of the way. But we really see God's glory and unfailing loyalty to his people when he provides a way into the promised land. Chapter 4, verse 23 says, “For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over.” Not only did the Lord separate a body of water once for the Israelites… he did it twice (Exodus 14). Put yourself in the shoes of an Israelite and imagine the awe of watching a wall of water rise before your eyes.
God never wants this wonder and awe to leave us. Therefore he commanded Joshua to have 12 men gather stones ( Joshua 4:2) and place them in a pile. We see this in Joshua 4: 6-7 “That this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ Then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.” God knew that by giving humans a reminder of his power and glory, generations of Israelites to come would fear-believe- and worship the lord! Psalm 119:90 also reminds us that God's faithfulness continues through all generations, meaning us, even in the 21st Century.
We live in a world that doesn't stop, especially during this season. God knows this but yet reminds us to stop, slow down and remember all he has done for us. The new generation of Israelites didn't see the Red Sea split, God knew that they would need a reminder that he is the one to be exalted above all else. So he demonstrated his power and might to this generation so that all to come would know of his glory. We too need reminders daily of God’s glory and promise. Like how God reminded the new generation of Israelites, he finds ways to remind us daily too.
Wonder:
God provided this pile of 12 rocks as a reminder of something he did for the Israelites. Even though we can’t see this specific pile of rocks today, we all have rocks/ reminders of times when the Lord did something in our lives that demonstrated his love, mercy, and grace.
How do these moments show God’s glory in and through your life? Where in your life may you need to let the Lord work/ lead?
