And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’ ”

…And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” (Joshua 4:1-3, 20-24 NKJV)

It’s good to remember the challenges that God brings us through. We need to share those with others so that His name is made great. Looking back to what happened five years ago today, we are reminded that we have a God who is mighty and faithful. No matter what happens, He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will always be our ever-present help in times of trouble. This story is one of those places where we have in a sense set up our stones.

April 15, 2016

Next flight, August 2016

January 2020Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (NKJV)

It’s not just through the airplane crash that we’ve seen God’s faithfulness and mighty hand. And even in the stories that didn’t turn out how we wanted, God is faithful.

Where would you set up your stones to commemorate what God has done? Tell your story to someone else so that they “might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty.”