Memories and Future

This past weekend Pat and I attended the centennial anniversary of Bethany Church in Northern New Jersey. We pastored that flagship congregation from late 1977 to early 1988, years filled with delightful experiences, the material from which happy, faith-building memories are built.

The thriving congregation knows how to celebrate, how to joyfully give thanks to Jesus for His faithfulness and blessing. One of the most interesting events of a very full weekend was the Friday night “music of the century.” Hymns and choruses from each decade was sung with joyful memories. The contrasts were primarily in style, the message was consistently centered on personal testimony and the character of God.

Millions of Israeli citizens walked on dry riverbed, even though the river was cresting. The riverbed was dry because of God’s miraculous intervention. One may read the whole account in Judges 3 and 4. The Lord then told Joshua to have a representative of each tribe of Israel remove a stone from the river’s path and erect a monument so that the children would ask, “What do these stones mean?” The monument was to be a teaching tool, a visual aid.

Monuments to God’s past actions are too important to coming generations to ignore their meaning and use.

• Monuments that remind us are effective when God’s actions result in His Name being praised. To fail to remember, is to misplace the object of our hope and trust. We begin to think we have achieved things in our own strength or with our own ingenuity. The pile of stones was to be a call to worship!
• Monuments may not always be made of stone, but they ought to have a high likelihood of permanence. Computer images safely stored is a contemporary manner to build a monument of remembrance. The stones speak of permanent reminders that guard against jettisoning valuable memory. Some instrument to jog memory is a powerful tool!
• The past ought to be part of the faith-building equation. It remains true, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) To anticipate Jesus’ future actions, it is helpful to be well versed in how He has acted in the past. The Jordan Riverside monument’s reason for being was to serve as a frequent reminder that God acts miraculously.
A brief caution is appropriate here. Occasional seasons for reflecting and renewing memory are profitable, but must not become the main activity. One who looks too long in the rear view mirror eventually rear ends someone! Children seeing the monument at the Jordan River were intended to go back to living life practically and presently.

The Older Testament used concrete, visible, tangible things to represent the Newer Testament’s internal, intangible truths. The Law given through Moses was etched into stone. God’s message is written on the fleshly parts of our heart in the Newer Testament (2 Corinthians 3:2). Our recent visit was not focused on the buildings where the church gathers, but on the warm, living members of the spiritual building. The memories are etched for safekeeping in our hearts until Jesus comes.

In heaven there will be no monuments because Jesus will be in the center of everything for all eternity. Sheer, unadulterated gladness will remain endlessly for in His presence is fullness of joy! (Psalm 16:11)

I suggest, we take time to remember! In memory excursions, visit the places where the Lord did wonders in your life and never forget! Then, move forward!