Chapel – 4/17/20
Step 1: Read Joshua 4:20-24
And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21 And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, 24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
Step 2:
Watch the lyric video for “In the Night” by Andrew Peterson. Make a list of every reminder of what God did in the scripture as you watch the video. Use this list in your prayers at the end of the chapel.
Step 3: Reflect
Over and over throughout the Old Testament, Moses, Joshua, Elijah and many others remind the Israelites of what God has done for them. I love the image in Joshua 4 of twelve massive boulders serving as an object lesson for generations of Hebrews. A physical reminder of the Lord’s power. An assurance that God can be trusted and relied upon. We still need this today.
So what, or who, are the faith stones in your life? Who are the people or things that point you back to God, reminding you of what He has done in your life? Maybe it’s your confirmation verse. Or your pastor. Perhaps you are blessed with godly parents or a faithful friend or sibling. Maybe a cross necklace or pendant keeps you centered. The point is this: as humans, we live in the moment and forget God’s goodness and provision. Our current trouble can take our eyes off the cross of Christ, which has defeated death and the devil. Remember the stones. Remember what God has done for you.
Step 4: Prayer
Dear Lord,
Though the earth gives way and the mountains move into the heart of the sea – we will not fear. But we will remember. We will remember your faithfulness – the faithfulness you showed to Abraham, Joshua, Daniel, Paul, and many others. We will remember what you have done in our own lives. Enable us to live our lives in a way that they are stones, reminding others of what you have done – for us and for all people. Thank you for the cross and the empty tomb that overcame even the darkest circumstance.
Amen.