Yesterday evening, at our Ash Wednesday service, we recalled the story of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. We don’t think much about crossing rivers today; there are bridges for that. Early Americans traveling on foot, horseback, or in covered wagons gave it a lot more thought. For Joshua and his people, the raging river was an obstacle … until God showed up.
At God’s command, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stepped into the water, and immediately the current stopped, the waters parted, and the people walked across on dry land. The river that threatened to sweep them away became a pathway of grace.
The entire story focuses on one thing: God didn’t merely bring them through the river. God met them in it.
And then, after everyone had safely made it through, God gave another command: pick up twelve stones from the middle of the riverbed and build a memorial. “Memorial Stones.”
God didn’t need the memorial so that he would remember. The people needed the memorial so that they wouldn’t forget. We’re no different. We forget. When we find ourselves hurting or needing something from God today, our focus is on today. We forget all the yesterdays when God showed up for us.
What stones would you gather if you walked back into your own riverbeds?
Perhaps there was a season when grief rose to flood stage, when an unwanted diagnosis came, when a job ended, when a relationship fractured, or when a loved one died. Perhaps you remember the river swirling around you as you whispered prayers for strength, healing, comfort, relief, or even a simple reminder of God’s love and grace.
And yet—here you are. Somehow, the waters didn’t carry you away. Somewhere in the middle of that chaos, God met you. Those are your stones.
But Joshua’s story takes us even further. As hard as it is to reflect on difficult times, we need to remember that we made it through and how our faith made a difference. Because rivers keep coming.
Perhaps you’re facing one now. The invitation isn’t to pretend the river is shallow. Faith isn’t denial. Faith is stepping forward anyway.
But here’s the good news: God still meets us in the river. While we’re not promised an easy crossing, we are promised a faithful presence.
So, today, this Ponderings invites you to pause. Name one river God has already brought you through. Pick up that stone again.
Turn it over in your hand. Give thanks. Then look at the waters in front of you. And step in. God will meet you there.
Prayer: Faithful God, you stand in the middle of my rivers. Thank you for the crossings you have already brought me through. And when the waters rise again, give me the courage to step forward and the trust to believe you’re already there. Build in me a memory of your mercy and a testimony of your faithfulness. Amen.
