DCLM Daily Manna 3 August 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — A Living Monument
TOPIC: A Living Monument (DCLM Daily Manna 3 August 2023)
KEY VERSE: “And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day” (Joshua 4:9).
TEXT: Joshua 4:1-9 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying,
2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
MESSAGE:
A monument is something that serves as a good reminder. It constantly points the attention of people to something or action of someone that is notable. This precisely is what God, through redemption in Christ, calls every believer to be in the world. He wants us to be a reference point of His transforming power and to leave an indelible mark of the gospel truth on those we meet.
Our text dwells on God’s command to Joshua to raise a monument as a memorial in respect of crossing River Jordan. This no doubt was a significant miracle, which God wanted them to keep in mind as well as communicate to generations after them. Chosen men from among the 12 tribes of Israel were to carry a stone each for the construction of the monument; hence, none of the tribes was left out.
In the same vein, those who have experienced salvation must not fail in their responsibility to pass on the gospel message until it is transferred to the next generation. No business can be more important than this. God’s call to salvation and service leaves no one out.
Believers should take every opportunity to set up monuments of eternal value in people’s lives. We should join hands with other believers to engage in mass evangelism. We should be part of the large throng praying for the salvation of souls in our communities. We should also contribute financially in soul-winning efforts. Everyone who has tasted of God’s mercy cannot withdraw from or be passive in making known His mighty acts. Attracting souls into the Kingdom will, no doubt, become eternal monuments to our record in heaven.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
It is wisdom to stand and be counted in God’s service.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ezra 4-6
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
