Remember God's Power... The X Factor Devotional - Day Thirty Eight - March 3, 2010

"These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
Joshua 4:7b

Joshua had instructed the people to carry large stones from the bed of the Jordan River and place them on the Canaan side of the river.  These stones provided a memorial of God’s power, provision and purpose for the children of Israel.  The Israelites would periodically return to this place, Gilgal, to express their gratitude for victories won in this new land.  They were commanded to bring their children with them on these occasions.

Carefully read Joshua 4:19-24.  When the people of Israel were obedient to God’s instruction regarding these twelve stones, it provided a great opportunity to teach and instruct the next generation.  "He said to the Israelites, ‘In the future when your descendents ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’" (Joshua 4:21).  A child’s natural curiosity opens the door for a parent to testify of God’s remarkable power.  Parents should lead their children back to the place where God has demonstrated His timely provision.  It may be a story, a place, or even a picture, but whatever it is, let them see it over and over again until it becomes a defining moment in their lives and a monument to God’s grace.

The X Factor is an excellent opportunity for the entire church body, member by member, to build a "memorial of gratitude."  Communicate to your family members and friends that this memorial is not merely a building or a piece of property; it is, more importantly, the experience of trusting God and seeing Him come through.  Gilgal was not just a pile of rocks.  It was a powerful reminder of our indebtedness to God.  The greatest heritage we can leave to the next generation is such a memorial of God’s goodness.

Prayer Focus: Take some time to reflect on some memories of God’s power and goodness in your life.  Was it an event? A Baptism?  A worship song?  Message?  Was it a special prayer time?  Some special blessing? Remember Him.