BUILDING ROCK PILES

(Joshua 4:3-9, 19-24)

This passage tells of two rock piles, one at Gilgal, the other in the midst of the Jordan.  Let's focus for the moment on the twelve stones at Gilgal.

I.    THEY WERE LIFTED

        A.    FROM A PRECARIOUS PLACE - They were lifted out ofthe midst of the      

                 Jordan, a place of death.

        B.    FROM A PLACE OF PRESERVATION - God enabled the nation to walk  

                 through the Jordan on dry ground.

        C.    TO A PLACE OF PROCLAMATION - They were taken from obscurity and

                 given the blessing of declaring the power of God.

II.    THEY WERE LEFT in a place of...

        A.    RECONSECRATION (circumcision) - A restatement of their participation in

                 the covenant and a rolling away of the reproach of Egypt (Joshua 5:9)

        B.    RESTORATION - The Passover was restored.  It was a memorial meal that

                 commemorated deliverance from Egypt (5:10).

        C.    REMEMBRANCE - It was to be the occasion of reciting the mighty acts of God

                 to their children.

        D.    REALIZATION (5:11-12) - Things were changing.

                    1.    Something ended - the manna ceased.

                    2.    Something began - they ate the produce of the land. 

THE LESSONS

Lesson One

In order to build the memorial at Gilgal they had to revisit or return to the place of previous passage and recover a stone.  This suggests victory over fear and doubt.  Real memorials (testimonies) are extracted from real problems.  The ability to revisit a past experience by retelling it without hurt or fear declares great victory of spirit.  It says we are no longer negatively affected by it, but that we have extracted a testimony and have grown as a result of experiencing it.

Lesson Two

God often chooses to take us through rather than deliver us from adversity.  This produces growth (we learn to trust Father) and a testimony (we can brag on Father).

Lesson Three

Revisiting old victories can produce newness and revival.  Memorials can bring reconsecration, restoration, and redirection.

Lesson Four

While it is easier to throw rocks, building memorials out of them is more constructive.

A LOOK AT DAVID'S ROCKPILE

(Psalm 103:1-5)

I.    FORGIVEN ALL MY INIQUITIES

II.   HEALS ALL MY DISEASES

III.  REDEEMED MY LIFE FROM DESTRUCTION

IV.   CROWNS ME WITH LOVINGKINDNESS AND TENDER MERCIES

V.    SATISFIES MY MOUTH WITH GOOD THINGS

VI.   RENEWS MY YOUTH (STRENGTH) LIKE THE EAGLES

Preached on the eve of 1993 at Point Assembly, Downsville, Louisiana.

Inspired by a message preached by Dr. Sam Sasser.

To write us: lou2247@bayou.com

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