Joshua 1-4

After leading the Israelites across the Jordan River on dry ground, God instructed Joshua to collect 12 stones from the riverbed and set them up as a memorial, just like He’d instructed Moses when they crossed the Red Sea.

“In the future,” God said, “when people ask about the stones, tell them about the miracle I performed on your behalf.”

I wonder why God thought the people would need a tangible reminder of the amazing show of His power. Wouldn’t the miracle itself be enough?

God had brought them out of bondage and into the Promised Land with book-end miracles. But, as we humans do, once the water started flowing again, their thoughts turned away from the miracle and toward their circumstances, more hurdles, more battles, more miles to go.

If you are a believer, you have already experienced a greater miracle than the parting of the waters we read about in the Old Testament. You have experienced God Himself taking the death penalty you deserved so you can be free from the bondage of sin, and enter the Promised Land of His presence. Do you remember that glorious day when you stepped from death into life, when you surrendered and accepted God’s grace? Take a second and let yourself remember the miracle.

But the waters started flowing again, didn’t they? Life continued with all the ups and downs, blessings and trials. Sometimes our circumstances, or the temptation to go back to “Egypt” consumes us, causing amnesia. We forget the miracle.

God knew we, like ancient Israel, would need the tangible evidence of the miracle of our salvation to remind us. So He inspired men to write down His Words. You need the evidence? Open your Bible. The how’s and why’s and the assurance of your salvation are right there.

Some people look for a sign of God’s presence, the assurance of their salvation, by looking for a rainbow or a butterfly. I’m not saying God doesn’t reveal Himself in nature. But if that’s the extent of your assurance, I’m afraid you are looking for a feeling rather than the truth

If you’re looking for a tangible sign of God’s presence, the assurance of your salvation, read God’s Words. When you do, you are looking toward the Rock. The Bible is our pile of rocks that reminds us of the miracle of our salvation. And the beauty is, it doesn’t weigh as much as the rocks stacked across the Jordan River. You can carry it with you. You don’t have to travel far to take it in. You probably only have to go as far as your bedside table. (or open the phone in your hand).

The things written in the Bible are the tangible truth of your salvation. Look at it every day. Remember the miracle. Then tackle your day with the power of the Rock, the rock-solid Truth of God.