“When the whole nation was finally across, God spoke to Joshua: “Select twelve men from the people, a man from each tribe, and tell them, ‘From right here, the middle of the Jordan where the feet of the priests are standing firm, take twelve stones. Carry them across with you and set them down in the place where you camp tonight.’” Joshua called out the twelve men whom he selected from the People of Israel, one man from each tribe. Joshua directed them, “Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Chest of God, your God. Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion. When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.’” (Joshua 4:1-7 Message Bible)
I was inspired to write to you today on the subject above as I was reading a wooden block that is sitting on a cabinet in one of our rooms. The block has the following words inscribed on it, “Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go.” Initially I just took exception to those words because it advanced the dangerous thought of being prideful and thinking how far we have come with no Divine help in our pursuits, profession, pedagogical achievements, and even personality changes for the better. In everything we need God! I was further concerned because of the use of the word “pride;” concerned that anyone reading the message on the block would mistakenly think that the overcoming of problems, predicaments, and personal roadblocks to peace were accomplished purely by one’s own efforts. In view of all “this” that we are experiencing during the pandemic, be it personal, political, or purely related to people everywhere, I started being concerned about the dwindling of hope by held by persons of faith; God’s called out people. I thought the phrase on the block would have been more appropriately written or it should have been amended to say, “Take pride in how the Lord brought you this far and have faith in the Lord for how far you can go.”
One day “this” that we are going through shall go away. It will become a memory that will be passed on to other generations. I think it is imperative that when “this” becomes a memory, we will not forget how the Lord stopped the ravenous waters of threatening circumstances and brought us across the figurative Jordan River that we are now facing. Notice I used the word, “when” and not “if.”
And as it goes for all the other “this” types of things that we will experience, we must give credit to the Lord for bringing us into a state of safety. Oh you know you have experienced some different types of “this” situations in your life! So pause right now and remember, or if appropriate finally recognize that it was the Lord, yes the Lord, who gets the credit and deserves the praise. If pride comes into the picture, let it be a pride the reflects that you are proud that you serve a God who can make a way out of no way and miraculously eliminate barriers that are blocking your progress to where He wants to take you; take you spiritually, take you psychologically, take you socially, or take you professionally. Give to credit where credit is due when “this” becomes a memory. And, go further, and use you experiences as symbolic stones; memories that will last forever; memories that reflect the passion, power, and presence of God in your life. Keep faith in God and let Him lead you after your “this” is over.
You want to know what I’m going t do? I’m going to get a permanent marker right now and change the block on the cabinet and ensure that it includes “the Lord has brought you,” as well as, “and have faith in how far you can go with God.”
Have a day filled with faith and hope! Keep marching on! Lift every voice and sing unto the Lord! Be blessed!
“Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing! Sing to God—worship God!” (Psalm 96:1 Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King