Scripture Reading: Joshua 4:4-7
You have probably been places and seen signs along the way that are historical markers. These familiar white signs were originally put in during the Eisenhower administration I believe. Funny, they can be in places where it looks as if nothing significant could ever have happened there. Yet something important to someone, hopefully a lot of people, did happen. These people knew that one day, as in their day, things would be forgotten by the upcoming generations. Since there was no Internet or such media, sticking a sign with a description at the spot of the interest was important.
One such marker of interest to me I found sort of by accident as I was wandering around the vast battlefield of Antietam Maryland. I have seen old maps and photos of the place, and obviously the lay of the land has changed since 1862. I was walking in what was called the "West Woods" section not too far from the Dunker Church. I spotted a large bronze plaque sort of over an embankment and across a paved two lane road that ran the perimeter of the park. As I got closer I noticed the inscription indicated that the 25th Virginia Regiment, CSA had made their last stand here before being overtaken by Federal forces. One of my ancestors was standing in a line of battle, loading and firing his musket. This plaque was all that was left to chronicle a terrifying moment in some person's life. Yet there it stood as a memorial.
The Scriptures relate a similar occurrence where it was commanded of the children of Israel to erect a large grouping of stones as a memorial for what God had did for them. The passage tells us that the men were instructed to relate the delivering power of God to the children who asked what the meaning of these groupings of stones represented. This was God's memorial for man to testify of Himself.
Whether you are old or young, it is good not only to leave memorials but to share the meaning of them as it has been related to you. Memorials may simply be an event in your life you saw God working, or it could be a place where His presence and deliverance was experienced.
Here are some ways a Spiritual Memorial benefits all who share in them.
They spark curiosity in the hearts and minds of those unfamiliar to them. God knew that in the time to come, His works would have lost some awe and ground from among the people. He also knew that a visual illustration would be very helpful to draw attention to the miracle He had performed. Children growing up, never having seen the Jordan river parted would be at a loss to explain a piling of 12 huge rocks in a place where there should not be any such thing. It showed them that someone had once been there and piled the stones up and thus prompted them to know why. Children are curious about the things of the Lord. It is paramount to have a child be educated in God's ways. When a man or woman is grown, rationality and other hindering forces creep in on them. The things of God for whatever reason takes a back seat to jobs, vacation, commerce, etc when a person grows older.
Ravvi Zacharias once commented to know God, one needed a "sense of wonder" afforded in childhood. I have found this so true. Man loses his sense of total wonder and unquestionable belief in God as he or she grows older. Things that make one curious are not so appealing as children grow into adults. But when that curious nature is ripe and something the child perceives but cannot catalog in their forming knowledge of growth can relate to, you have an open avenue of sharing the Gospel with them. They will in most cases want to know what you have to say. They want to be educated because of their unfamiliarity. Curiosity in the heart of anyone, child or adult is the opener to hearing from God. We want to know God. We want to know His love, power, character, etc. When we see an act that can only be attributed to God, we allow Him to be shown to us. Our curiosity is the opening for reception.
They allow a wonderful deed(s) of faith to be explained. As curiosity becomes attention, the person interested in the things of God must be explained not only the details, but how these came to pass in a personal matter involving you. It is good to give instruction "by the book," as it were. Definitely we should live by The Book. However, God desires us to know Him personally and not just academically. I think this is why the subject of History is so boring to many people. You can read all about it in books and online articles, but it has little impact on you as you in most cases can't relate to the circumstances or have visited the places, or are a part of the culture of which you are studying. The Bible is no different. In fact, the Bible is largely a historical book with life changing applications and prophecies. I say that not to demean its importance to the level of secularism, rather though to give a parallel. When the Bible comes alive to a person it does so when one who explains it comments on the knowledge of it, and then in turn tells the person how it has personally impacted them just recently on grounds they can relate to. This is precisely what God meant for the stones. He wanted the fathers to tell of how He delivered them and to relate His attributes of omnipotence and grace as they experienced then, and as the children would experience later. When attention is captivated, the story, the application and the object (memorial) all flow together to make a lasting impression on the person. They will never forget what God desires to tell them.
They keep alive the importance of a life or event long after it has passed and nearly forgotten. Lives and events are not meant to be forgotten. I remember once strolling through a graveyard where some very ancient graves were. They were not decorated and their inscriptions were faded nearly off. I looked at them and looked at the more modern graves and thought what a shame it was to be neglected. The reason was all that ever knew the person has died off and removed from memory. God never forgets a single life. He has known the names of the billions of people who have passed through this life. He wants us to remember people and ways He has worked through. God does nothing for kicks or for the lack of nothing better to do. Everything and every way God acts is for purpose. To forget His purposes enacted through His people, who may be forgotten after many years, is a sincere insult to Him. Life is precious and should be honored in practice and memory. Never forget those who sacrificed so you have what you do. Never forget as well God who made your provisions possible. If necessary make a memorial commemorating His goodness to you. Keep it detailed so other will see it and be encouraged. Even though the events of the past may be long gone, God still is who He is and still works the same way. He delivered Israel from the Jordan river, He delivers His people today from hard experiences. The same God uses the same power to deliver the same type of people (His) in the same way, for the same everlasting praise and glory due Him.
They instill faith in God and His unchanging character. A memorial is meant to be lasting. Monuments to certain cultures and places have been in existence for long periods of time. However, all earthly memorials will pass because time passes and has a way of eroding what is erected. God however supersedes time and decay. This is one crucial area that sets Him apart from everything and everyone else. But the most important aspect is that God Himself does not change. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Nothing can claim that. This is what makes the hope of God so sure and the ruin of the world so undesirable. Nothing promised of God shall ever fail. Such hope, such promise is the one thing that men ought to trust in. Anytime we place our faith in man or his works, we find ourselves building a skyscraper on shifting sand. It is very interesting that God used "rocks" to define His deliverance of Israel. Rocks are the one element of this world that does last. This denotes His power and the strength of His Person. Repeated visits to the "memorials" of Scripture will build rock solid faith in the reader. This is precisely what God desired of the forthcoming generations of Israel. Such is the same desire towards each of us.
Are there Spiritual Memorials in your life? Are you pointing someone towards the One who really makes all the difference. Consider this as you consider the years of your life.
Father, thank You that every page of Your Word stands unbroken as a Memorial to Your Character and Person. We look to You for our sustenance and strength. Help us always to remember Your provision and Truth as go throughout life. Thank You that we shall see You as we have been told of You, face to face. One day our hope in You will be complete and the memorial will be experiential forever. Praise Your Name Most High. Amen.
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