Day 31 in the Wilderness: Don’t forget to leave historic markers.

“And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’ ”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The places where I have lived have all been peppered with historic markers. Actually, historic markers are ubiquitous for many areas in the south because of the events associated with the Civil War.

I was surprised to learn that The United States National Historic Landmark Program was not formally inaugurated until 1960. This program has the purpose of recognizing and honoring the historical and cultural heritage of the United States. In addition to the thousands of national historic markers, each state has its own system for historic markers.

In areas around me now, historic markers describing particular battles in the Civil War, can be easily found. It’s surreal to stand in another place in time and cast your imagination back to a time of war, right where you are standing. Indeed, without these markers, you might have never heard the rich stories some places have to tell.

Yes, historic markers are important. After all, history forms who we are, for better or for worse. Additionally, reflecting back on historic events allows us an opportunity to learn from the past as well as honoring those involved.

Today we find the Lord telling Joshua to assemble what would basically be an historic marker.

The people are passing through the river Jordan by yet another water miracle from the Lord. In this case, the Lord dammed up the water on one side until they safely crossed over.

“and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.””

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4:5-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We see that the stones were to form an historic marker commentating the miracle God had performed there. And—when the next generation would ask as to the meaning of the rocks—opportunity was afforded to tell the great things the Lord had done.

Indeed, we can observe throughout the Bible, people being instructed to leave a form of historic marker to inform those who would come after concerning the goodness of the Lord.

Interestingly, Joshua also set up an historic marker in the middle of the Jordan where the priests had stood with the Ark of the Covenant.

“Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

It’s very easy to allow the busyness of life to keep us from being intentional about making sure those who come after us will know about the goodness of the Lord in our own lives. Whether we document the miracles in our life in a family Bible, a personal journal, or even by word of mouth, we must let those who will follow know the great things the Lord has done for us!

For today write this in your “wilderness journal”:

Don’t forget to leave historic markers.

#40daysinthewilderness