TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY JUNE 6, 2017.
MEMORIAL
DEFINITION:
Something designed to preserve the memory of a person or event.
In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. When it (the Ark) crossed the Jordan the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever. Joshua 4:6-7.
Our memories tend to be very short. Memorials are a way of preserving and perpetuating the memory of people or of events that were important to us.
Memorials are very important to those that lose loved ones and family. That is why we have memorials (tomb stones) in cemeteries to remind loved ones of their family member. Memorials serve to remember great events and people in public life. In Washington D.C. we have many memorials that remind us of great leaders and events in our history. These memorials for families and our history are important for future generations so they can see the heritage that was before them.
Throughout the Bible we read about memorials that were erected at locations where God had done something special. Those memorials are very important for us to study today because they are reminders of how God worked in the lives of those who loved Him and how He protected and blessed them.
After God parted the Jordan River and all the Israelites had safely crossed on dry land, the first thing that God instructed Joshua to do was to build a memorial. While the priests who were holding the Ark of the Covenant were still standing in the middle of the Jordan River, Joshua, in obedience to God, instructed one man from each of the twelve tribes to take a stone from the Jordan river at the spot where the priests were standing. These twelve men then carried the stones to the place where they were to camp the first night in the Promised Land.
There at Gilgal, Joshua set up a monument as a memorial to remind future generations of the miracle God had done in parting the Jordan River. Children who were born after the crossing of the river would see the stones and ask what the stones meant? Their parents would have the opportunity to tell them the story and teach them about God and tell them of the miraculous things He had done for them in bringing them out of Egypt and setting them free.
The memorial served as a reminder to all the people of the earth, past, present and future that the God of Israel is powerful and a God of miracles.
Years ago, we took our children across America to Washington D.C. to see all the memorials and historical places in our nation's capital. As we visited the Washington memorial, the Lincoln memorial and others, we had the opportunity to teach our children about who these men were, what they believed and what they had done for our country. We were able to point out to them the impact that God had on their lives and what they did in the forming of America. They founded our nation as a nation under God with freedoms, and justice and liberty for all.
Reminders of God are rapidly being banned by our government leaders here in America and this could well bring about the fall of our country. Prayer is no longer allowed in schools. The Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in schools or government office locations. When children and youth go to our nation's capital and see all the memorials today they do not understand the significant role God had in the founding of our country.
The reason is very clear to us. Parents, teachers and even churches are not teaching our children about why America has been great and especially Judeo-Christian principles. The reason it has been great is because God was involved.
Children also have not been taught the reasons for memorials and why they are where they are and what they stand for. It is up to us as Christian parents and grandparents today to teach our children and grandchildren to trust in God and work to keep America a nation that puts God in the center of all its activities.
Children love to ask questions and as parents we need to be ready to give an answer. Many questions can be answered by referring to our heritage here in America and the memorials that are standing to remind us of that heritage and the role God had in the founding of our country. Of greater concern is the lack of teaching that our children receive about the Biblical memorials. These memorials were built to show how great a God we have, and to show us how much He loves us.
Children often ask questions about God and heaven. Parents that do not know God and who have never read the Bible cannot answer because they do not know the answer. If your child were to ask you a question about God or Jesus, could you give them an answer from God’s Word?
When your children ask you about God, do you take the time to talk to them about who God is and what He has done for you? Do you share with them how God has blessed you and this country and how He has answered your prayers and how He continues to meet your needs? Telling your children about God is one of the keys to having a happy family.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 2:20.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Thank You for giving me these illustrations from the scripture that challenge me to honor You in all that I do so I may prosper. Help me to understand that prospering means that I will receive Your blessings on my life. As I prosper may my family and my friends see Christ in me and may they give up their worldly traits and honor You in all that they do. Help me to pray daily for my family, my friends, and my fellow believers and for the peace of Jerusalem.
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