June 14, 2023

Remember What God Has Done

Joshua 3 - 4

Matt Atchley
Wednesday's Devo

June 14, 2023

Wednesday's Devo

June 14, 2023

Wednesday's Devo

June 14, 2023

Wednesday's Devo

June 14, 2023

Big Idea

God's definition of success is faithfulness.

Key Verse | Joshua 4:21-24

And he said to the people of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'What do these stones mean?' then you shall let your children know, 'Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever."

Joshua 3 - 4

Israel Crosses the Jordan

1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2 At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 3 and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. 4 Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits 1 3:4 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” 5 Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” 6 And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

7 The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” 9 And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God.” 10 And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth 2 3:11 Hebrew the ark of the covenant, the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. 13 And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”

14 So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

Twelve Memorial Stones from the Jordan

1 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, 2 “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 5 And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”

8 And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the LORD told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down 3 4:8 Or to rest there. 9 And Joshua set up 4 4:9 Or Joshua had set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day. 10 For the priests bearing the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to tell the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua.

The people passed over in haste. 11 And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the LORD and the priests passed over before the people. 12 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh passed over armed before the people of Israel, as Moses had told them. 13 About 40,000 ready for war passed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.

15 And the LORD said to Joshua, 16 “Command the priests bearing the ark of the testimony to come up out of the Jordan.” 17 So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up out of the Jordan.” 18 And when the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.

19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 21 And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, 24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” 5 4:24 Or all the days

Footnotes

[1] 3:4 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
[2] 3:11 Hebrew the ark of the covenant, the Lord of all the earth
[3] 4:8 Or to rest
[4] 4:9 Or Joshua had set up
[5] 4:24 Or all the days

S2:113 Joshua 3 - 4

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Joshua 3 - 4

We don't need anyone to tell us life is hard. Sometimes it feels like we're playing a game of whack-a-mole, except we're the moles. But the truth is, God delivers us from trials all the time, so why are we so quick to worry when we face a new one? Because our forgetfulness rivals God's faithfulness. Thankfully, Joshua 4 instructs us on how we can face the trials to come in a way that glorifies God. The answer is simple, remember.

To clarify, I don't mean simply try harder to remember. I mean we actively make remembering a rhythm in our daily life. God knew crossing the Jordan was the first of many trials to come for this new generation of Israel as they entered the Promised Land. That's why He instructed Joshua to set up the twelve stones where people would see them. So that when the Israelites were leaving for battle, or just living their daily lives, they would be reminded that their God shows up. The same is true of us. We need to build reminders into our everyday life that call us back to times of God's deliverance in our lives—something that prevents us from forgetting that we serve a God who still shows up.

But we don't just remember for our sake. Joshua instructed the Israelites to be prepared to answer the question, "What do these stones mean?" (Joshua 4:21) When God shows up in our lives, it isn't just for our benefit. That's the compounding nature of God's deliverance: what helped us in the moment becomes encouragement for others in the future. And if we forget how God has moved in our lives, we rob others of the opportunity to be strengthened by His faithfulness, and we rob God of the opportunity to be glorified.

Remembering God's faithfulness allows us, and others, to face new trials with a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Because we know that with every trial, we get to see God and make God seen. And when the world sees people walk through trials like that, the world takes notice of the God these people are walking with.

This month's memory verse

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

– 1 Corinthians 15:58

Discussion Questions

Disclaimer: If you are going through a trial and you don't see God showing up, I am so sorry! This devo is not meant to make light of your struggle or to imply that you just need to have more faith. My only goal is to encourage us to build rhythms into our lives that allow us to remember the sovereignty of our God despite the severity of our trials.

  • Remember:
    • One key to actively remembering God's faithfulness is thanksgiving.
      • List out five things you are thankful for that God is doing in your life.
      • Bonus points: Do this every morning for the next week and see what an impact consistent thanksgiving has on the rest of your day.
         
  • Share:
    • Think back on a time when God showed up in your life.
      • Find time in the next week to share this story with someone in your community group, or someone close to you if you don't have a community group.
      • Then, praise Him together for His faithfulness.
         
  • Walk:
    • I want to remind us that people watch the way we walk through trials. And as Christians, the way we do this says a lot about the God we claim to trust. If you have time, read Daniel 6 before moving on to the next questions, and notice Darius' reaction to how Daniel handled his trial.
      • Would people who see you go through hard times say that your God is worth trusting?
      • Would they see any difference in the way you go through trials from someone who doesn't know God?
      • Does the way you go through trials bring people closer to God or push them further away?

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

HS

Hugh Stephenson

Good morning, Matt! Thanks you for such an awesome devo. I LOVE your citing the truth that God’s deliverance compounds as it transforms our lives and shows others His love and care for us. How God’s deliverance compounded for Hugh and Amy- Flash back- Monday night February 4, 2013. Amy and I first came to re:gen. The next night we first came to Prodigal. Soon after this Amy entered women’s abortion recovery. A few years later I entered men’s abortion recovery. Each night the first thing we heard was an amazing testimony of trial, hardship, recovery, and God’s victory. In these two nights God gave us hope that the amazing stories we heard could be an example of the work He would do IN us and THROUGH us. Flash forward- Amy and I have led 2 groups through re:gen. She was a co-leader in women’s abortion recovery and I co-led in the men’s abortion recovery. I have led in Prodigal since 2014. We co-led in Prodigal for years until, in 2018, Amy was asked to join the Watermark Staff as a Women’s community director. A few years ago she rejoined the Prodigal leadership team Key Take Away- None of this was because of us. ZERO!! In fact, it was despite us. Our sinful nature is what drew us into rebellion. God redeemed our sin in saving us and leading us to proclaim, (Psalm 71:18), witness, (Acts 1:8), and teach, (Matthew 28:19-20).
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Hugh Stephenson

REMEMBER- Five things God is doing in my life. -Continuing to show me how to share what He’s done for me in a way that compounds His deliverance. -Showing me what Godly leadership looks like in my marriage by revealing how to live out Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:25. -Rebuilding relationships with my children, especially my two non-believing prodigals. -Leading me into the last years of my professional career in a way that honors clients and empowers my team to take the next steps under experienced leadership. -Giving me an amazing CG. The counsel, prayer, and love are amazing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHARE- When God showed up. Three answered prayers. In addition to the times noted above I’d add these three times- -September 14, 1980. His supernatural intervention to answer my prayer and to connect me and Amy. -December 10, 2010. Another answered prayer to save me from personal and financial ruin of my own stupidity. -December 1, 2012. My last drink. In my last drunken stupor I finally surrendered and prayed for his rescue. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WALK- How God led me during trials. -My testimony is about how God rescued and saved me THROUGH my trials. Many times I have shared how I hated the trials AND would not change anything. I now thank Him for trials as they boiled out and burned off so much sin that I could finally see Him and run to him, (James 1:24, Romans 5:3-5, Isaiah 30:20-21, Malachi 3:3, Hebrews 12:1-3).
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Hugh Stephenson

From Chapter 3, my main take-a-way is that patience and preparation lead to His promises. As the people looked forward, they could see the Land of Promise that they were entering. As the people looked back, they could see how God’s faithfulness had redeemed all the unfaithfulness of the people. Also, I see Joshua’s example of patience and humility. God gave him the skill, patience, and humility that he would need to lead the Israelites into living out God’s promise. In Joshua’s faithfulness God promises Him this in verse 7- The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” I link this verse to these- On God exalting us - 1 Peter 5:6, James 4:10, 1 Samuel 2:7, On God exalting Jesus - Acts 2:33, Philippians 2:9-10 ------------------------------- Bible nerd stuff -This chapter is the first time the Israelites are called a “nation”. “Apart from anticipations such as Ex. 19:6, “you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation,” and the promise to Abram that God would make him “a great nation” (Gen. 12:2), Israel is not called a “nation” until now. In Egypt and in the wilderness, Israel was a “people”; now, with their having entered the Promised Land, the term “nation” begins to apply.”
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Michael Sisson

Re: Jos 3:4 2000 cubits ≈ 3000 ft. or .57 miles Re: Jos 3:7 Jos 3:7 (NASB) Now the LORD said to Joshua, >>>“This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel,<<< that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. See also Ex 4:16; Jos 4:14 Re: Jos 3:17 Jos 3:17 (NASB) And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm >>>on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground,<<< until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan. See Ex 14:22, 29. Re: Jos 4:19-24 If you hadn’t already picked up on the parallels before, this passage expressly calls attention to how these events were intended to echo the Passover and be a less to the nations. Jos 4:19 (NASB) Now the people came up from the Jordan on the >>>tenth of the first month<<< and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho. Thus, Israel crossed the Jordan on the day (Nisan 10; Ex 12:3) lambs and kids (Ex 12:5) were to be set aside for Passover (Nisan 14; Ex 12:6-11)…forty years to the day when Israel had begun the preparations for departing Egypt. Jos 4:21 (NASB) He said to the sons of Israel, >>>“When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’<<< Like the Passover Seder (Ex 12:26-27), the twelve stones were to be an object lesson for subsequent generations. (See also Jos 4:6-7) Jos 4:24 (NASB) that >>>all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty,<<< so that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” As G-d declared to Pharaoh (Ex 9:16) before the Passover, through Israel the glory of the L-rd will fill all the earth. See also Ex 34:10; Num 14:15-16, 21.
SF

Shawn Foster

Matt, Thank you very much for a practical and meaningful devotional. Keeping a prayer and gratitude journal will put your foot on the accelerator of your spiritual growth. Certainly set my soul on fire for the Lord. How sweet it is that our Father & Good shepherd knows what we need even before we ask. May we never forget the Great things He has done, is doing and will do. WM Song lyrics help build in that rhythm of gratitude. “Whatever the cost, whatever it takes, a holy surrender for your name.” Amen? Thanks again.
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Gabriel Adel

Hey Matt! Thanks for the Join The Journey sharing! Great passage to ready and Great! Great!! Great!!! dive deeper reflection! Liked "But we don't just remember for our sake. Joshua instructed the Israelites to be prepared to answer the question, "What do these stones mean?" (Joshua 4:21) When God shows up in our lives, it isn't just for our benefit. That's the compounding nature of God's deliverance: what helped us in the moment becomes encouragement for others in the future. And if we forget how God has moved in our lives, we rob others of the opportunity to be strengthened by His faithfulness, and we rob God of the opportunity to be glorified." Yes, victories in our challenges give us opportunities to thank God for them, but even more than for us is for others to come to see the God that we serve working in our life! Thanks again Man!
CW

Carolyn Walker

Got a good laugh at the whack-a-mole reference. I definitely feel like the mole sometimes. Thank you for the reminder to actively remember God’s faithfulness in my life, and also the reminder to share those examples with others. So good!
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Kathy Hempel Cox

Thank you for this reminder to be reminded :) Your devo and questions were such a blessing and a challenge. Thank you for spurring me on!!
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Sue Bohlin

SUPER devo, Matt! "Our forgetfulness rivals God's faithfulness." Drop. The. Mic. The story of the Jordan crossing keeps popping up when I pray for people facing a scary challenge. I remind them (and sometimes myself) that the priests had to literally get their feet wet by standing in the waters of the Jordan before the grace and power of God held back the flow to create dry ground for the people to cross into the Promised Land. That tells us to just move forward in trust that God will show up and provide the power and the enabling for whatever is needed. Often that means, "Just start talking. That's how you get your feet wet."
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Michael Scaman

The people were all physically involved with the reminders. Stepping back to watch was a reminder the ark was holy and stay back, wich also would help more people see what's going on. Having a leader pick up a big stone and carry it for their tribe a reminder. And making a monument a reminder. Seeing it years later a reminder. All tribes were involved and even the tribes staying on the other side. I wonder what the families staying on the other side felt as they cross the Jordan miraculously drying up? Did they wish they went into the promised land?
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Amy Lowther

1. God loves each of us. God helps us to know we can each be loved. God helps us love others. God helps us to improve and be responsible if we mess up. God helps us know strengths and overcome weaknesses. A consistent Thanksgiving everyday helps me know I am worth something and others are too so we all have the chance to succeed whether we are friends or not. A consistent Thanksgiving everyday also helps me find order in chaos so things level and chaos is reduced. 2. God showed up and helped me find resolution and peace in a declared conflict that was demoralizing . Prayer: God thank you for seeing truth in conflict and creating time for truth to be told. Thank you for being strong and believing in what is good. God be with everyone as they proceed forward to work on the good you exemplified. Amen. 3. Yes, people would say God is worth trusting. They would say giving your daily life to God and consulting him in every choice made is worth it. Me overcoming trials helps people approach God more and draw closer to God.