Stackin’ Up the Rocks
Dan Kunz
If you’re a fan of bluegrass music, you’re probably familiar with a musical group called Balsam Range. They won the 2014 and 2018 Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award. One of my favorite songs of theirs is called “Stackin’ Up the Rocks”. The song tells the story of the children of Israel crossing the Jordan River on their way into the Promised Land, as recorded in Joshua, chapter 4. God commanded Joshua to have one man from each of the twelve tribes to take a rock from the middle of the riverbed, where the Ark of the Covenant held back the water for the people to cross on dry land, and to use those twelve rocks to create a lasting memorial to God’s faithfulness. The chorus of “Stackin’ Up the Rocks” says it this way:
Stackin’ up the rocks at the edge of the water
Memorial of the miracles he gave to thee
That all the people of the earth might remember
That the hand of the Lord is mighty.
Have you set up a memorial to God’s faithfulness lately? Ever? Maybe you have without realizing it. If not, it’s never to late to start. Your “stack of rocks” could come in a variety of different forms. Do you have any Christian symbols or pictures on display in your house, on your lawn, or in your place of work or business? If those “memorials” remind you or others of the multitude of miracles that God has performed in your life, you’ve stacked up rocks. Notice that the chorus of the song states that “all the people of the earth” should be reminded because of the memorial. Your memorials aren’t just for you, but for everyone who sees them. That’s why it’s important to display them in places other than your home, too.
Although not common, occasionally you may see businesses and companies which display references to God’s faithfulness. That may take the form of the company’s name – Trinity, Hope, or Faith. (Google “Christian business names” and you’ll find hundreds of ideas.) It may take the form of symbols and art on display, such as a cross, a Bible passage, or a painting of Christ. Another idea is including a Christian message or Scripture reference on printed material associated with the company. Our congregation collects food items to be donated to a local food pantry. Every single item has a sticker containing a Bible passage attached to it.
Although meaningful, these attempts to memorialize the faithfulness of God are not the best or most important way to honor him. Teaching our children, grandchildren, family, or friends about the amazing grace which our Heavenly Father extends to us through his Son, Jesus Christ, is, by far, the best way of “stackin’ up the rocks”! Influencing the next generation(s) to know Jesus as their best friend, their role model, and their Savior, is a memorial that will, literally, last for eternity. Doing this regularly, thoughtfully, and sincerely is the best gift that we can give to them, as well. Tell them stories of God’s impact on your life. Serve as an example of sanctified Christian living. Send them encouraging Bible passages and words from time to time. Visit God’s house with them. Pray with them. Stack up those rocks and keep stacking them up, as long as God gives you the ability to do so!
Psalm 78:4 “We will not hide them from their descendants. We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders that he has done.”