My bank account dwindling to ten dollars. Anxiety stealing my courage to drive. Ominous text messages from loved ones. I look back on these moments and think not of the pain but of the things God used to show his faithfulness:
- a job when I needed it most and not a single bill paid late
- meditation, prayer, journal writing, and Bible verse memorization – tools that help me manage my thoughts and emotions
- courage to help and calm to manage tough situations
It is moments like these that Joshua reiterated to the Israelite tribes during the renewal of the covenant at Shechem. He not only presented the turmoils of war and living in the wilderness but also told of God’s protection. He reminded the tribes of the importance of giving up idols as well as of serving only God. Then as a further measure, Joshua inscribed these things in the Book of the Law of God and set up a stone as a witness.
Joshua chose not only verbal reminders but also physical ones. Why? I think it’s because verbal reminders, while useful, don’t always stay in our mind. Even our electronic calendar reminders go by the wayside when we forget to check our phones.
A physical reminder, though, is harder to ignore and acts as a symbol. For the Israelites, the rock reminded them of their renewed covenant to God, the imagery pricking their consciences when they felt tempted to stray. Imagery of rocks, both physical and metaphorical, appears in other parts of Scriptures, too:
- Exodus 17, when Moses struck a rock and water came out for the people to drink – God’s provision in action
- 1 Samuel 2, when Hannah exulted God in her prayer as a rock like no other, saying he weighs our actions – God’s provision of justice
- Isaiah 51, when Isaiah reminded the people to look to the rock from which they came, to Abraham and Sarah, and God’s covenant with Abraham – God blessings
These symbols of God’s goodness build in us an unwavering commitment to God and reflect his eternal faithfulness. So even during the heavy moments or after failures of faith, for example, Joshua making a covenant with the Gibeonites without consulting God (Joshua 9), we can turn back to the Rock who saves, knowing he will be faithful.
Dear God, you are the eternal Rock, my strength and stability. Whenever I feel weighed down by life, may my heart praise you as Hannah did, exulting your name and your strength. May your past blessings bolster my spirit even as I go through trials in the present. You are faithful, this I know. In your name I pray. Amen.
Throughout This Day: Take a walk outside today. As you walk, admire God’s creation and thank him for his faithfulness. For example, thank God for the sun, which shines on the trees, which use light energy to turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, which we breathe. If you’re feeling crafty, paint a rock and write a word such as “pray” to remind yourself to converse with God or “faithful” to remind yourself of his faithfulness.
Photo Credit: Djalma Paiva Armelin