Altars, Monuments & Memorials

Read: Joshua 4

Life is like a book, with chapters that tell the story of our journey. Some chapters are filled with joy, love, and laughter, while others are marked by loss, struggle, and disappointment. But here’s the truth:  no single chapter defines the whole story. Whether you’re in a season of celebration or challenge, one thing remains the same—God calls us to build an altar there.

Why Build an Altar?

An altar is a memorial, a place that reminds us and future generations of God’s faithfulness. When God led the Israelites through the Jordan River, He commanded them to take twelve stones from the middle of the riverbed. These stones weren’t just rocks—they were a symbol, a monument of what God had done in that moment. God wanted them to build an altar there, to serve as a reminder of His provision, power, and presence.

Altars tell the story of God’s faithfulness in our lives:

- The place where He made a way when there seemed to be none.

- The time He provided when we were in lack.

- The season He sustained us through heartbreak, loss, and uncertainty.

These altars become testimonies, markers of God’s goodness for future generations.

1. Don’t Forget Where He Brought You From

As we move through life, it’s easy to forget past victories when we’re faced with new challenges. But Scripture reminds us repeatedly: **don’t forget**. When the Israelites stood on the edge of the Promised Land, Moses warned them not to forget the Lord who delivered them from Egypt (Deuteronomy 8:11-14). 

Our journey with God isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about remembering. Each altar we build stands as a reminder of where God has brought us from, serving as a memorial of His deliverance and grace. 

Take a moment to remember a time when God brought you through something difficult. Build an altar there in your heart, giving thanks for His faithfulness.

 2. Don’t Forget His Provision

Everything we have is a gift from God. The Israelites entered a land filled with blessings they hadn’t earned—cities they didn’t build, wells they didn’t dig, vineyards they didn’t plant. God was their provider, and He wanted them to remember it (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

In the same way, we’re called to recognize that our blessings come from Him. Our jobs, homes, families, and every good thing is a gift. When we pause to build an altar of gratitude, we remind ourselves—and teach the next generation—that **God is our source**.

Before each meal, prayer, or even as you go about your day, take a moment to thank God for His provision. Let that simple act be an altar, a reminder that everything we have comes from Him.

3. Don’t Forget His Power

In the story of Joshua and the Jordan River, God didn’t just provide a path—He demonstrated His power. The same God who parted the Red Sea held back the waters of the Jordan, proving once again that nothing is too difficult for Him. Moses instructed the Israelites to remember these mighty acts and to pass them down to their children (Deuteronomy 4:9).

It’s easy to let the pressures of life make us forget God’s power. But when we build altars—memorials of the times He moved mightily—we remember that He is always capable of doing it again. No storm, no season, no circumstance is beyond His reach.

Think of a time when God showed up in power, whether through healing, provision, or deliverance. Build an altar there, thanking Him for His power and trusting that He can do it again.

Building Altars Today

Altars aren’t just ancient markers; they’re essential today. Every time we give thanks, every time we testify of God’s goodness, every time we pause to remember His faithfulness, we’re building altars. These moments serve as reminders for us and as testimonies for others, especially the younger generation.

Imagine your children, your friends, or your church community seeing these altars in your life. They’ll know that God was faithful then, and they’ll be inspired to trust that He’ll be faithful again.

Conclusion: Take a Stand

If God has brought you through a difficult time, provided in a season of need, or displayed His power in your life, stand as a testimony. Let your life be an altar of God’s grace and mercy. Let it be a monument to His goodness and kindness, something that inspires others to put their faith in Him.

So today, whether you’re celebrating a victory or walking through a challenge, **build an altar there**. Remember what God has done, and let it be a reminder that He is with you. Just as He was faithful in the past, He will be faithful again.

If God has healed you, delivered you, provided for you, or brought you peace, stand in gratitude. Let your life tell the story of His faithfulness so that others will see and know the power, provision, and love of our God.

Let’s build altars—of gratitude, remembrance, and faith—so that future generations will know of His goodness. Amen.

Now lets go and turn the world upside down!