February 10...

Joshua 1-5

On the surface they seemed to be the same, but on the inside, everything had changed. They had decided to trust God, no matter what. They had decided to obey Him, even if it didn’t make any sense. They reestablished their covenant with Him through circumcision – not something that makes a lot of sense before you are going into battle!

We don’t hear grumbling or see rebellion. Instead, we see a group of people who are following Moses’ final words – they are remembering the LORD and what He has done for them. They are trusting Him and obeying Him. And, they are keeping the story alive.

In chapter 4, Joshua told the men to get 12 stones and he set them up. This was an ancient custom called “massebah” which is translated “standing stones” and means “to set up”. The standing stones served as a reminder of something very special that God had done. The story of the stones would be passed down from generation to generation.

Jacob set up stone pillars to remember the place of his powerful dream. Moses set up stones at the foot of Mount Sinai after he received the Ten Commandments. And Joshua set up these 12 stones to remember the miracle of crossing the Jordan at flood stage – on dry ground!

Throughout history there have been standing stones that have been discovered, but there are no living witnesses to tell the story of what happened there. The story is lost. As amazing as the structures of the standing stones may be, they are meaningless without the story behind them.

In I Peter 2:5, Peter talks about stones and calls followers of Christ “living stones”.

What if we thought of ourselves as “living” standing stones? What if we were “set up” as a reminder of something special God has done?

What if we lived our lives in such a way that it caught the attention of others and they asked “why” – and the story of God and Jesus was told?

What if our lives became meaningless because there was no story behind them?

Think about it.

What if to be that living stone... we have to become strong and courageous?
What if the reason we have to be strong and courageous is because it is frightening?
What if the story of God's power in our lives could give us courage bigger than anything that could frighten us?
What if God's plan was going to require you to be courageous?
What if courage means doing something you wouldn't do naturally - out of self preservation?
What if the strength courage to live out God's story of justice and mercy for the world around you could only come from you admitting you aren't strong enough and that you are scared?







Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9