There’s a story in the Old Testament about how Joshua was directed by the Lord to instruct the tribes of Israel to build a monument of stones sourced from the bed of the river Jordan. A representative from each of the tribes had to go and gather a stone from the middle of the dried up riverbed before God returned the Jordan back to its pre-existing flooded condition.

This memorial was to be poignant reminder to all who looked upon it of what the Lord had powerfully and miraculously done for Israel. That regardless of the impassable nature of the swollen Jordan river, God was well able to fulfill His promises to them through the obedient actions of His servant, Joshua.

Let this be a reminder to all of us, as we launch out into another uncharted year, that God is still able to do the impossible and make good His promises, if we, like Joshua, act humbly and walk in obedience to all that He says.

In Joshua 4:20, it says, “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 fathers, ‘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.”

As we move forward into a new decade, let’s not become like the Israelites often did, forgetting to remember what the Lord has done for us, often miraculously.

Let us not become preoccupied with the busyness of life that we fail to appropriately thank our loving Heavenly Father for all His kindness, goodness and mercy toward us during 2010. 

It’s time to stop and give Him thanks!

Now here’s a thought!

Looking back over your year, what memorial stones are you able to set up as a reminder to you, and to others as you share them, of what the Lord has done for you?

Take time in the next few days to STOP for a moment! Reflect back over the year. Look at your life with a heart of thanksgiving; even through those tough, uncertain and difficult times, He has been there with you through it all. Recall the things God has done in you, through you and for you over the past year. Remember His faithfulness, His provision, presence, strength, power and love.

Now take some time to thoughtfully and humbly express thanks to God for the specific things He has done in your life. Consider how He has bestowed blessings on you…regardless of the year you’ve had. One of the Psalm’s I often pray is Psalm 100 …it’s a real declaration of praise and thanksgiving! It speaks about giving thanks and praise, for the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Friend, I hope we can journey together this coming year as we connect through my regular blogs.

Until next time, may our gracious and ever present God bless you abundantly as you look forward to the New Year; may His renewing presence transform and refresh you as you launch out into another new season in God.