In Joshua 3-4, we find the account of Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land. For the ancient Hebrews to leave the wilderness and enter into the land promised to their forefather Abraham, they needed to first cross the Jordan River. This would be no small feat, as the river could be both wide and relatively deep in places. When you think about how many Israelites were with Joshua and Caleb (Scripture identifies more than 600,000 men; including women and children, it is likely the number could have exceeded 2 million!), you can imagine the difficulty of fording a flowing river! In a miracle that would have reminded the Hebrews of their exodus from Egypt, God stopped the river, allowing this massive amount of people to cross on dry land. Knowing that the people could be forgetful, Joshua commanded them to establish a monument of stones. These “stones of remembrance” would stand for generations and generations, causing wonder among those who would come along later. Whenever these younger generations would ask why those stones were there, the older ones would have an opportunity to explain how God had provided and protected His people, guiding them through the wilderness and across the Jordan in a miraculous fashion so that they could take possession of the land that had been promised to them. What’s more, these stones of remembrance would be a testimony to God’s glory for whomever might see them.
This past week, as I prepared to celebrate my 40th birthday, I spent some time thinking back on those “stones of remembrance” that I had established in my own life to God’s providence and glory. I think back to how He guided my Mom to make what must have been a difficult and heartbreaking decision to let my grandparents raise me, so that I would not have to be in an abusive home with my stepfather any longer. I remember how my grandparents taught me how to love the Church, despite it being filled with broken people. Indeed, my grandparents taught me what it meant to love your spouse through sickness and health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I thought of all those teachers in my life, at every level of education, who took the time to encourage me, challenge me, and hold me accountable when I wanted to just coast along without putting forth much effort. Memories of all those adults who took an interest in me as a child and teenager flooded back as well, especially my mentor throughout high school, John. I remembered the day I met my wonderful bride-to-be, Aryn, and how I knew in that moment that she would be the one I would marry (thankfully, she knew it, too!). The joy of watching each of my children being born filled my heart. At each of these moments (and so many more that space does not allow me to mention), I could see God’s providential hand. When I speak of these moments, I try to make sure I point to the mighty and sovereign God who loved me so much that He sent His Son to die in my place and who has guided, provided, and protected me – often from my own terrible decisions!
When I arrived here at the church on Wednesday night to a surprise birthday party, I was once again reminded of God’s great love. Seeing so many of you – and seeing how much thought and work was put into my Reformation themed party! – warmed my heart in ways that I cannot begin to express. So often in our society, a 40th birthday party is an occasion to point to an inevitability for all of us, so long as Christ tarries – our death. Instead, you focused on celebrating the life we have in Christ and in the community of believers. Throughout the evening, I gave thanks often to God for what you have all meant to me over the past several years, and I look forward to continuing to establish stones of remembrance with you, all for God’s glory!
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