Stones of Faith: Telling Your Story
"He told them, ‘Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask, "What do these stones mean?" Then you can tell them, "They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across." These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.’” Joshua 4:5-7
Honestly, I’m in a strange season as a dad. My kids are growing up to be incredible young men, reaching an age where they don’t “need me” for everything like they used to. They no longer need me to wake them up for the day, pack their things, or even show them where the food is and how to prepare it when they’re hungry. Still, even though they don’t need me in the same ways, I’m incredibly proud of who they are and the character they display! Obviously, I’m a little biased because they’re mine—but if you’re a parent, grandparent, or caretaker, you understand the joy of seeing someone you love and have invested in become the person you always knew they could be.
I’ve been on a personal journey, thinking about the important things I want to leave behind for my boys as they grow. What words, phrases, actions, and wisdom do I want them to hold on to forever?
This brings me to a passage in the Old Testament. Joshua, newly appointed to lead God’s people after serving under Moses, witnesses a miraculous event: God parts the Jordan River so they can cross to the other side. God commands each of Israel’s twelve tribes to take a stone from the middle of the river and carry it to their campsite, where they would use these stones to build an altar. This altar would stand as a testament to God’s faithfulness, allowing each generation to remember how God had provided for them.
These stones came from the heart of a miracle. They serve as reminders of God’s faithfulness—a place to teach, share, and celebrate!
Joshua understood that one day, a parent and child would walk by the Jordan River and see this stone monument. Out of curiosity, the child would ask, “What is that?” And this would open the door for the parent to tell how faithful God had been in their lives.
What “stones” do you have in your life that your family, friends, community, and loved ones need to see and know about? What are the stories of God’s miraculous provision in your life? What has Jesus done for you that the world around you needs to hear? This is your sign and opportunity to revisit the significant places in your life and share the goodness of Jesus.
Let me pray for you.
Jesus, thank you for all the stones you’ve allowed us to carry—markers of your faithfulness and provision. I ask that you help us share the stories and testimonies of the places you’ve brought us from and the challenges you’ve led us through. Because of your past faithfulness, we know you will be faithful now. Let our stories encourage others and remind us that you will never leave or forsake us. In your mighty name, we pray, Amen.
