The Character of God
Katie Flores, Guest Writer
TODAY’S TREASURE
God's gracious character in preserving Israel is recounted in these verses, just as it is in Exodus 34:6 during the covenant renewal with Moses on Mount Sinai. Joshua, the leader who followed Moses, also renewed God's covenant to help the Israelites commit themselves to the Lord. God is revealing His character to His people so each generation may know of the One who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Multiple times, Joshua placed stones to remember the goodness of the Lord. In Joshua 4, the Israelites passed through the Jordan on dry ground. He instructed twelve men to each take a stone from the riverbed to create a memorial. Joshua also gave them the words to tell the children (4:7) so that they would understand the importance of God's powerful deliverance when they saw the monument. There was another moment of teaching to all of Israel in 8:33, to help them understand that they belonged to this great God. Then, in 24:27, Joshua pointed out a stone to be a witness of God's fulfillment of every promise in bringing them to the promised land.
I like to imagine the children who were present at these gatherings. Surely, they would have found it amazing that there was such care in providing ways for Israel to remember the character of God. What would the children have thought when they saw a stone and imagined it having ears to hear their commitment to serve God alone? No doubt, the adults around them wanted them to witness these important moments.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
We experience God's goodness to us all the time. It is found in answers to prayer, in caring friendships, and in the beauty of His creation. There are simple moments as well as some more profound. I'm tempted to let these moments pass by without marking and remembering them. I'm convicted as I see God's instructions for Joshua to mark and remember for the people. I can mark and remember in my own house, pointing my family to the true Rock of Salvation, the only One who perfectly committed Himself to His Father, earning our eternal inheritance for us.
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PRAYER
Lord, enable us to appreciate the simple and profound ways You provide for us. Allow us to remember and appreciate Your faithfulness to us and point others to You through our testimonies. Amen.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.