When you get a moment, really look around your home. It is filled with items that commemorate the most important events and memories of your life.
You probably have pictures of weddings, children, grandchildren, friends, vacations, and family. You probably have gifts you received from close family and friends. You probably have something that belonged to an important relative or friend who has since passed on. You probably have plaques recognizing degrees, honors, and other accomplishments.
We have surrounded ourselves with these “monuments” that represent highlights in our lives. These possessions are a reminder of people and events that we celebrate, and they help us remember important milestones. In the moments we truly see them, they have the ability to evoke positive and happy feelings.
In the Bible, there are many stories of God’s people gaining great victories over their enemies. In many of the events, God instructed His people to commemorate the victory by writing an account or building a monument to serve as a reminder of the victory won. In Exodus 17:8, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites in Rephidim. Under Moses’ direction, Joshua led the Israeli army to victory. After the battle, God instructed Moses to, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua” – Exodus 17:14. In Joshua 4, after the Israelites crossed the Jordan, God instructed Joshua to have the Israelites build a stone monument as a reminder of the victory.
The Bible is also filled with stories of people celebrating their victories. Miriam, who is featured in “Women of the Bible,” led the women in a celebratory song and dance after the defeat of pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea. David celebrated by dancing when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem. In the story of the Prodigal Son, which is featured in “Men of the Bible,” we find a father celebrating the victory of the return of his son.
As we look back over our individual lives, we can all see many victories. All we must do is look back and see how much we’ve grown and how far we’ve come. Each victory prepares us for a greater victory that is to come. We are moving from faith to faith. Because God provided victory in the past, we have faith that He will do so again and again.
We wonder. Is there a way we can memorialize the victories God has won in our lives? What can serve as a reminder of how God delivered us in the past, and that He will deliver us in the future?
In the ESV, Deuteronomy 20:4 says, “For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” As you fight your battle today, remember how far God has already brought you from! Hold out for victory because you know it will come! After the victory, comes your celebration!
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