Because the hand of the Lord is powerful, the people are experiencing God working for them just as their parents experienced His powerful hand when He held back the Red Sea so they could cross safely. Now they are crossing the Jordan River during the spring flood stage. Joshua 4:18.

And what does God command them to do? Remember. Put 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan on land as a reminder of what God has done for you.

The stones were a reminder for future generations. The Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God. V. 23-24.

If you saw a spring-swollen large river stopped up so millions could cross over on dry ground, would you fear? Would you be in wonder? Our natural instinct is to fear what we don’t understand. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8.

That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses. V. 14.

Joshua knew God. He knew His powerful hand, His powerful love was with him and it was personal. He wasn’t just reading about God. He experienced God’s love and direction.

We have Scripture so we can remember after we begin to learn about God. The Israelites had 12 large stones to remember; we have God’s written word. We have so much more. We have the Living Word made flesh showing us how to love God and obey His perfect, loving, powerful Will. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. God’s eternal promise for all who would remember and walk with Him as He leads us to greater understanding of His love for us. You can trust God. He has never lied to us and He works for our good and His hand is powerful and loving. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:11-14.

So many wonderful truths to remember and dwell on as we take His hand and let Him lead us. He knows the way.