Issue 673 – Stepping Stones – March 4, 2022
A reader sent me this shot of a busy little stream in autumn. I have seen many such spots. I could almost hear the water rushing across the rocks and the birds singing in the background when I looked at it.
When I was a child, I would very much want to use those rocks as stepping stones and cross back and forth. Okay, maybe not just as a child. As a fisherman, I am one of those types who always think the fishing would be better on the opposite shore and quite often end up managing to get wet.
It is a great photo, but it is a very ordinary subject in some ways. You can find similar streams with stepping stones around the world. Still, I believe we can experience our extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Our creator God of marvels and wonders, yet He often uses the ordinary to remind us of His presence. Sometimes when I see river rocks, I think of Israel coming into the Promised Land.
The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'” And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.” So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan. Joshua 3:7-17
Now, that is anything but an ordinary event. The Lord tells the Israelites that He will work a miracle for them. As we move into Joshua 4, things happen just as the Lord promised.
And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the Lord told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day Joshua 4:8-10
The Lord promised a miracle and delivered one. We expect nothing less. What’s up with those rocks, though?
The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. And “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, which he dried up for us until we passed over, 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.” Joshua 4:19-23
The people of Israel erected the stones as an opportunity to share what God had done.
We don’t need to set up a pile of stones to talk about what God has done with us. I do not doubt that God has worked in your life in obvious ways, in ordinary circumstances. You might not have even realized it was happening until afterwards.
Perhaps it was an unexpected cheque that arrived in a time of crisis. Maybe a “chance” phone call from a friend. Perhaps it was an answer to prayer. The possibilities are endless. Whatever the circumstances, you know it was the hand of God in your heart.
For example, one night at the cowboy church, we decided to take a special offering for a couple that did a lot of travelling ministry and was visiting with us that evening. It was the first time we had ever done that.
God provided precisely enough, plus $4 to replace the four balding tires on their truck. Whenever I see that couple or a truck like theirs, I remember God’s special provision and marvel.
I am sure you have stories of your own. When you remember, share them with others and be encouraged yourself.
When you reencounter those same circumstances, it is a time for you to remember and share what God has done in your life.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
_____________________________
Would you consider helping us spread the word about “Gleanings”?
Would you please tell your friends and family about us and encourage them to subscribe for themselves? Thanks.
Did you know that we have an email version? Same great content but in a different format. It is handy for when you don’t want to check your FaceBook.
Subscribe today
https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1
___________________________
All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
____________________________
#devotional #biblestudy #dailybible #bible #gleanings #KevinCorbin #jesus #god #faith #christian #love #joy #Christ #Father #bibleverses #prayer #church #Holyspirit #jesuschrist #worship #Biblereading #dailybiblereading #dailybible #pray #believe #devotion #discipleship #steppingstone