Years ago a teacher advised me to “tie a string around my finger” to help me remember something. I don’t recall what I needed to remember back then. But I have since used different versions of “strings around my finger”: post-it notes, to-do lists, and special jewelry. Recently I’ve even joined the digital age and set reminders on my phone.

Science tells us tangible objects can be very effective in helping to jog our memory. I’m not surprised ~ God has taught us this strategy for centuries. One such example can be found in the Old Testament.

After Moses died, God called Joshua to lead His people into the promised land. Traveling during the spring harvest season, they arrived at the Jordan River during its flooding stage (Joshua 3:15). Although the river normally measured 100 feet wide, during this season some commentators believe its width swelled to a mile. Not only that, but flood waters often move quickly and carry debris and disease. In face of this challenge, God provided a miracle.

When the feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant touched the river’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing and piled up in a great heap far away from the Israelites. The priests stood in the middle of the river and waited as all the people walked safely to the other side (Joshua 3:15-17).

Joshua then instructed the people to choose one man from each tribe. These men went to where the priests were standing and gathered a large stone which they carried back to the people (Joshua 4:1-3). Then Joshua called the priests to cross over. As soon as they reached the other side, the flood waters resumed (Joshua 4:17-18).

Out of the stones Joshua created a tangible reminder for the Israelites:  

And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:20-24 NIV)

Joshua created this stone memorial so the Israelites would remember how God led them faithfully to the promised land (Joshua 4:7). But the stones also served as a witness to the world and to future generations. Everyone would know and respect the power of the Lord. 

Today I realized how many memory devices I still use to remind me to take my vitamins, pick up items at the store, and pray for people. But I don’t have tangible reminders of all the ways the Lord has been faithful in taking care of me. I don’t have memory stones to spark conversations about the miracles He has dropped in my life. And because I don’t, it’s easy to forget.

And during troubling times like the one we are currently experiencing, I need to remember. When I see the crisis in Eastern Europe where so many innocent people are suffering. When I think of my brothers and sisters who live in Russia or the Ukraine and who are now caught up in circumstances they never wanted. When the world continues to spiral out of control, reminding me of the raging flood waters the Israelites once faced. I need to remember.

So I will find ways to create my own memory stones to remind me:

God is faithful 

God is powerful

God is sovereign

Wherever our journey takes us, I pray we always choose to remember the One who is faithful, powerful and sovereign.