The Jordan River Rules Week 8

The Jordan River Rules: Week 8

7/23/2024

We are thrilled to have you join us! Every Tuesday morning at 9:00, now until August 6, we'll gather for a Summer Book Club-Style Bible Study. As a community of like-minded followers of Jesus Christ, we'll share our journeys, support each other, and find encouragement together.

Our focus will be on studying 10 God-given strategies for moving forward, as outlined in "The Jordan River Rules." Each week, we’ll explore one rule and discuss it in the comment section. If you haven't yet grabbed the book, you can get your copy here.

Can't make it on Tuesday mornings at 9:00? No problem! You can participate anytime during the week at your convenience. Simply read the week’s chapter and the corresponding blog post, then join the discussion in the comments. Don’t forget to invite a friend to join us! We look forward to growing together in faith!

WEEK 8: Build a Monument

“And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 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.’” Joshua 4:20-22

In the ancient days, as the Jordan River yielded to the divine command, allowing the Children of Israel to enter the Promised Land, a remarkable scene unfolded. Priests stood resolutely in the middle of the riverbed, securing the Ark's poles. As hundreds of thousands hurried across, forty thousand soldiers, in battle formation, led the way. Once the last person reached safety, twelve Israeli ironmen returned, lifting massive stones from the riverbed onto their shoulders.

Joshua, the valiant leader, received these twelve stones, symbolizing the crossing into Canaan—a land of promise and permanence. These stones marked a point of no return, as the once-navigable river now surged behind them, blocking retreat. In Gilgal, Joshua erected a monument with these stones, an everlasting testimony. He declared to the Israelites, "In the future, when your children ask... 'What is the meaning of these stones?' you should tell your children, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground'" (Joshua 4:20-24).

Reflecting on six decades of life, I see a narrative shaped by God's guidance through wildernesses, parted waters, and unforeseen depths. Each of us, in our unique journeys, echoes the sentiment that only God knows our path's course. Our stories, distinct as they are, serve as testaments to God's faithfulness and leading.

Leaving a Testimony—The Power of Your Story: As I ponder the intricacies of life's journey, I am reminded that our stories, unlike any in history, are incredible. Each of God's billions of followers has a unique pathway, a testimony that deserves to be shared. Joshua's act of setting up the twelve stones becomes an inspiration for us to leave behind our own monuments.

Erecting Your Own Ebenezer—A Stone of Help: In 1 Samuel 7, after a significant victory, Samuel set up a stone and named it Ebenezer, meaning "stone of help." It served as a reminder to future generations that the Lord had been their help. Similarly, Psalm 71:18 emphasizes proclaiming God's power to the next generation. Our greatest ministry may unfold posthumously, with our works following us into eternity.

A Chain of Influence—Impact Beyond a Lifetime: History unfolds in a sequence of events, often triggered by individuals. The stories that Robert Morgan shares of Philipp Spener, August Hermann Francke, and George Müller illustrate this beautifully. The most impactful for me was Müller's story. A revival sparked by Martin Luther eventually led to the founding of an orphanage in Germany, impacting a student named George Müller, whose story inspired Morgan's daughter to adopt two children. This chain of events, spanning over five centuries, showcases the ripple effect of a life's influence. Our stories can also have that ripple effect of influence.

Leaving Behind Spiritual Inheritance—Pebbles in the Pathway: While not all of us may leave physical monuments, we can gather spiritual pebbles in our pathway to form a lasting inheritance. Three practical ways come to mind:

Write Your Testimony: Document your life's significant events and God's faithfulness. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece—just an honest account of your journey.
Leave a Personal Bible: Make notes, share insights, and let your Bible become a legacy for those who come after you. I'm working on this!
Live Faithfully and Give Freely: Your actions and generosity can create a lasting impact, shaping a rich legacy.

Building a Monument of Mercy and Praise: In your journey, live faithfully, give generously, make notes in your Bible, and write down your experiences. Leave behind footprints and pick up pebbles that God, in His transformative power, can turn into pearls for future generations. Your legacy is more profound than you know—a monument of mercy and a pillar of praise that reverberates until Christ returns.

“I realize I could never have charted my own path or understood the end from the beginning. Only God knew the way through the wilderness. He has parted waters, sustained me in many rivers, and sometimes pulled me out of the depths. My story is unlike anyone else’s in history—and so is yours....Our greatest ministry will occur after we’re dead—that is, after we’re in Heaven. We’ll leave behind all the work we’ve done, the tasks we’ve completed, the words we’ve said and written, the people we’ve touched, the causes we’ve supported, the lives we’ve changed, the children we’ve raised, the churches we’ve sustained, the missionaries we’ve sent, and the funds we’ve invested in the Kingdom. It all has a ripple effect that expands until Christ returns....The Almighty has a unique plan for each of us that involves leaving a legacy with an echo chamber that will reverberate until Christ returns. Don’t underestimate how the next stage of your life will influence generations yet unborn. Find a way to preserve a testimony....Live faithfully, give freely, make notes in your Bible, write some things down, and leave some footprints.” —Robert Morgan

How much thought have you given to leaving a legacy and building monuments along your life's journey for the generations to follow?

Read The Jordan River Rules: Week 9 here.

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