Our daily bread
Dexu Xia
Stones of Remembrance
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. Psalm 105:5
Some mornings when I go online, Facebook shows me “memories”—things I’ve posted on that day in previous years. These memories, such as photos from my brother’s wedding or a video of my daughter playing with my grandmother, usually make me smile. But sometimes they have a more profound emotional effect. When I see a note about a visit to my brother-in-law during his chemotherapy or a picture of the staples across my mother’s scalp after her brain surgery three years ago, I am reminded of God’s faithful presence during difficult circumstances. These Facebook memories nudge me towards prayer and gratitude.
All of us are prone to forget the things God has done for us. We need reminders. When Joshua led God’s people towards their new home, they had to cross the Jordan River (Joshua 3:15–16). God parted the waters, and His people walked through on dry land (v. 17). To create a memorial of this miracle, they took twelve stones from the middle of the riverbed and stacked them on the other side (4:3, 6–7). When others asked what the stones meant, God’s people would tell the story of what God had done that day.
God, help me to trust You with both the present and the future.
Physical reminders of God’s faithfulness in the past can remind us to trust Him in the present—and with the future.
God, thank You for Your faithfulness to me over many years! Help me to trust You with the present and the future as well.
How can you create physical, daily reminders of God’s faithfulness to you? Share it with us in the comment section at odb.org.
记念石
你们要记念祂奇妙的作为和祂的奇事，并祂口中的判语。-诗篇105篇5节
某些早晨我上网的时候，脸书会提醒我这一天特别值得记念的事，它会显示我在过去几年的这一天上传了些什么。这些美好的回忆，如哥哥婚礼上的照片，女儿和曾祖母一起玩的影片，常常使我莞尔。但有时候，过去的回忆也会影响我的情绪，就如看到我去探望化疗中的姐夫之后所写的一段话，或是三年前母亲刚动完脑部手术时，头上钉着一排钉书针的照片，都令我想起上帝信实地陪伴我们度过难关。这些脸书上特别值得记念的事，提醒我献上祷告与感恩。
我们都很容易忘记上帝为我们做的一切，因此我们都需要得到提醒。当约书亚带领上帝的子民前往应许之地时，他们必须越过约旦河（约书亚记3章15-16节）。上帝将水分开，使祂的子民得以行走干地（17节）。为了记念这个神迹，上帝吩咐他们从河床取了12块石头，并将石头堆在岸上（4章3、6-7节）。当有人问起这些石头是什么意思，上帝的子民就可以告诉他们，那一天上帝为他们所行的奇事。
看到这些值得记念的事，让我们想到过去上帝对我们的信实，能提醒我们现在继续信靠祂，并将未来交托在祂手中。
感谢上帝，在过去的年日里信实地陪伴我！求祢帮助我，将现在和未来都全然交托给祢。