Faith Amongst Grasshopper HeartsSample

 Remember! (x7)

After Joshua makes the wonderful declaration: "As for me an my house, we will serve the Lord." The Israelites respond with great enthusiasm. They declare that they will follow the Lord too. Joshua warns them not to commit rashly or lightly: He challenges them in the negative: "You're not able to serve the Lord - He's holy and you're not... Will your faith persevere?"  

It's an important question.

The Israelites are positive. They believe they can. Joshua's response is to build another memorial - another reminder that they are should be faithful to God.

The ESV Study Bible notes that there are seven of these stone "memorials" in the book of Joshua:

1. When they cross the Jordan and commit themselves to the Lord through circumcision (4:20)  
2. Over the body Achan who sinned against the Lord - a reminder that obedience is better than sacrifice (7:26)  
3. Over the King of Ai (The only king to ever defeat them) A sober reminder about the disaster that a wrong turn can bring but also the wonder of a second chance. (8:28-29)
4. When Joshua reviews the Law(8:30-32)
5. Over the five Amorite Kings that they defeated when God made the sun stand still. (10:27)
6. A covenant of loyalty with the the tribes on the East of the Jordan. (22:34)
7. And here with covenant renewal (24:26-27)

We easily forget the major milestones, lessons and rescues that God performs in our lives. Recently a friend took us out to lunch to celebrate his spiritual birthday - the day he gave his life to the Lord. It was profound and beautiful to share that moment with him.

Here's your homework challenge after you've read this last passage in our Joshua series: Can you write down seven key moments in your life where God did something profound in your life or where you learned an important lesson?  

Maybe you can share your list (or parts of it) with those who shared those moments with you.

We're told that the remainder of Joshua's generation remained faithful to the Lord. May this be true of us!