Why God Commanded Them to Carry the Stones? - E-Books

“Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed… and Joshua said to them: ‘Cross over before the ark of the Lord… and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder… that this may be a sign among you… that the waters of the Jordan were cut off… and these stones shall be a memorial to the children of Israel forever.’”—Joshua 4:4–7 (NKJV)

Why the Stones? Write This Down!

God never gives random instructions. When He told the Israelites to take twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, there was prophetic significance. These stones were not souvenirs; they were sacred memorials.

There are two powerful reasons why God commanded them to carry those stones.

1️⃣ God Wants You to Remember His Acts

God is not forgetful—but sometimes, we are.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”— Psalm 103:2 (NKJV)

When God blesses you, He wants you to remember:

✔️ He gave you that child—remember it!

✔️ He gave you that job—remember it!

✔️ He healed your body—remember it!

We are often quick to cry in the storm but slow to rejoice in the sunshine. The twelve stones were meant to be a visible reminder of God’s miracle for generations to come.

“That this may be a sign among you… so that when your children ask… you shall answer…”— Joshua 4:6–7 (NKJV)

Ask yourself: Has God done something for you that you’ve forgotten?

Maybe your scooter nearly went under a truck… but God spared your life.

Maybe your car flipped… but you walked out like Arnold Schwarzenegger saying, “I’ll be back!” 😄

Don’t treat miracles casually—mark them, write them, and remember them.

2️⃣ God Wants You to Build a Memorial of Faith

God didn’t just want them to remember—He wanted future generations to see and believe.

“So that this will be a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”— Joshua 4:7 (NKJV)

When your children ask, “What do these stones mean?”

You’ll say, “This is where God parted the Jordan for us.”

Your testimony is not just a personal victory—it’s a prophetic memorial for others.

✔️ Write it down.

✔️ Testify about it.

✔️ Pass it on to your children and grandchildren.

“Tell your children about it, let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.”— Joel 1:3 (NKJV)

Intercession & Thanksgiving Go Hand-in-Hand

God is calling you not just to remember but also to intercede.

To stand in the gap for your:

Family
Ministry
Nation

Somebody lift your voice and say, “Thank You, Lord!”

Sometimes, you get a promotion not because you’re the most qualified, but because of God’s favor. Your boss may say:

“We actually didn’t need someone…but I just felt like keeping you.”

That’s not your charm—that’s the grace of God!

A Personal Testimony of Gratitude

Every time I sit on an airplane, I whisper under my breath, “Thank You, Jesus.”

It’s not a ritual. It’s a moment of remembrance—a flashback to a time when travelling felt more like surviving.

Let me take you there.

We were heading to a ministry event—my team member Dennis was with me. We boarded the train only to find that our tickets were not confirmed as it was festival season in Maharashtra. The Train was packed, and the TC told us sit wherever you can. Our seats? Right next to the toilet.

Now, when I say toilet, don’t imagine a fresh, lavender-scented restroom. No. This was biblical tribulation.

The stench hit us before we even sat down—a nauseating mix of sweat, stale alcohol, and something I still can’t identify. The air was thick, like it was holding its breath.

Inside the bathroom, a man was busy—drinking, peeing, and doing “whatever, whatever”… all in one continuous session.

I sat down, turned my head slightly, and muttered a quiet prayer:

“Lord… one day, You’ll make a way for me to travel differently.”

Fast forward to today—and God has been faithful.

He heard even that whispered prayer beside a train toilet.

The Unexpected Upgrade

One day, a businessman friend of mine insisted on booking my ticket.

“Pastor, I want to honour you,” he said.

And to my surprise, it was business class.

Now let me clarify—I don’t fly business on church money.

You all can’t afford that, okay? 😂

This was purely a friend’s blessing.

But what happened next? That was pure God.

I boarded the flight, grateful already. I had just settled into my seat when a flight attendant walked up to me, smiling.

“Sir,” he said, “would you like to move to first class?”

My heart skipped. My eyes widened. I looked around like I’d just heard from heaven.

First class? Emirates?

I sent a video to Anita, my wife.

“Anita,” I whispered into the camera, “I can’t believe it—I’m in FIRST CLASS!”

It felt surreal.

Humbled in First Class

Now hear me—I’m from the village.

I didn’t grow up with silver spoons or seat warmers.

So when I stepped into the Emirates First Class cabin, I was stunned.

Everything gleamed—wood panel finishes, mood lighting, gold trimmings. It was like stepping into a flying palace.

I sat down, touched the soft leather, and smiled nervously.

There were buttons everywhere—buttons for reclining, buttons to close the door, buttons to call the flight attendant.

I didn’t know what was what!

I found the one that slid the private door shut.

Suddenly, I was in my own suite… quiet, private, peaceful.

So what did I do?

I knelt down. Right there, in that tiny cabin in the sky.

I whispered with tears in my eyes:

“Thank You, Lord. You remembered my prayer.”

Just then, I heard a gentle knock.

“Sir, is everything okay?” the flight attendant asked.
“Yes,” I replied with a smile. “I’m just praying.”
And to my surprise, he smiled back and said,
“I’m a Christian too.”

Never Forget Where You Came From

That moment—kneeling in First Class with my hands lifted in worship—will stay with me forever.

Not because of the comfort, or the gold finishes, or the five-star treatment.

But because it reminded me of how far God has brought me.

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…”— Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV)

Never forget the prayers you whispered beside the toilet.

Never forget the times you were overlooked, the flights where you barely made it, the silent tears you wiped so no one would see.

Because the God who saw you then… is the same God who lifts you now.

Sometimes we boast— its time to stop boasting. It’s not your strength, your resume, or your looks. It’s God’s faithfulness.

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord.— Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)

So lift your hands right now and say:

✔️ “Thank You, Lord!”

✔️ “Thank You, Jesus!”

Don’t Just Celebrate—Remember!

This ministry has come this far because of His faithfulness.

You have come this far because of His mercy.

And God wants you to remember not just that it happened—but also HOW it happened.

Why did the Jordan part?

Because intercessors—the priests—stood in the middle.

“The priests stood firm… in the midst of the Jordan until all the people had crossed.”— Joshua 3:17 (NKJV)

God said, “Carry those stones so you remember… this miracle happened because someone stood in the gap.”

Don’t just celebrate the miracle—honor the intercession that birthed it!