Love That Never Fails

37. A Memorial

One thing that came out of 2020, was that in slowing down, we had time to see what was important to us. Many people found contentment and became thankful for the little things. When everything was stripped away, a simple meal shared with those we loved seemed better than a fancy meal at a restaurant! Watching the sunrise or taking in the beauty of a flower could move us in a way we never would have imagined!

2020 brought so many different experiences to us all and they were not all negative, however, it did take time to appreciate how God had been with us through the journey. The journey doesn't have to be over in order to stop and give thanks. Joshua and the Israelites still had much to face after the crossing of the Jordan River, but it's interesting to see that they paused for reflection before moving on:

"When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, "Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight." So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. 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 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 ‭4:1-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love the idea of making a memorial, as the Israelites did, reminding them visually, of God's presence with them through a challenging situation. It's so easy to move on after a crisis has passed and forget what God has done for us. When times of trouble arise again, it is good to remember what the Lord has done, just as the Psalmist does:

"I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress,
I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked: "Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds."
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77:1-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Remember that God continues to guide you and be with you as you continue on life's journey. You may not see His footprints, but you can be sure He is always there! Did you make some sort of memorial to 2020?

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much for being with us all during difficult times. I don't want to forget Your faithfulness! Yes there will always be challenges ahead but today I am stopping to make a memorial to remember that You love me so much and have been walking through this year. In fact there are places where you have carried me and I am so grateful! Please accept my thanks and praise and give me courage to take Your hand and continue the journey.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.