These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever. Joshua 4:7b
There is a famous Hebrew story about the Jewish nation walking out of Egypt—slavery and oppression—and following Moses to the shores of the Red Sea. The people panicked, the Pharaoh’s army pursued, but the water parted and the Jewish nation walked across on dry ground. It was epic—inspiring modern day movies.
A generation later, after 40 years of wandering in the desert, there was another parting of water. This time, the Jordan River. Joshua was leading the people, Moses was dead, but God was still God… and God did another miracle.
As the water stood up at attention and the people crossed on dry land to the other side of the river, they took big river rocks with them. Not because they like carrying heavy things, but because they wanted to build a memorial… a reminder. Something that when you see it you pause, reflect, and remember.
“That’s the place God did that thing!”
“That’s the spot that miracle happened!”
“That was the day life changed for us!”
Pause. Reflect. Remember. Let the truth of the past inform your confidence in the present.
Labor Day is like that. It’s a day our country set aside to pause, reflect, remember… and rest. But when you and I rest, we can have confidence in a God who is always “laboring” for our good. Working everything from human disaster into divine beauty.
Pause. Reflect. Remember. Rest… And enjoy your Labor Day Weekend.