One of the keys to overcoming fear, grief and pain is to look for God’s blessings along life’s journey. Focusing on His faithfulness and goodness has more than balanced the horror of my husband’s sudden death in 2015, as well as the trauma of breast cancer in 2018. Praise has enabled me to overcome—not just somehow, but triumphantly.

In the Old Testament, Joshua used stones to help God’s people remember His faithfulness and goodness. After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, the Israelites experienced the power of God to roll back the waters of the Jordan River, enabling them to cross over and take possession of the promised land. God then commanded them to build a memorial of stones taken from the riverbed as a public testimony of what He had done for them … stones that would remind them to keep on praising Him.

What blessings have you experienced as God has helped you? Answered your prayers? Encouraged you through His Word? Supported you through others? Start praising Him now for His blessings, and don’t stop … 

Read Joshua 4:1-24;  5:13-6:20

I. VISUAL PRAISE
Joshua 4:1-9

• What were the stones of remembrance and where did they come from? Joshua 4:2-3, 5, 8.

• Why did God say they were to be collected and carried to the riverbank? Joshua 4:6-7.

• From the following passages, describe other visuals God gave His people and what each represented: Genesis 9:12-16; Exodus 12:1-13; 16:33; Matthew 26:26-29; John 20:1-9, 24-29.

• What visual objects could you place in your home or office that would serve as reminders to you of your personal experiences of God’s blessings? I have a signed picture in my sunroom of the guys who were my husband’s transportation team and helped him get to and from dialysis for three years. The picture reminds me of God’s blessing that they were to Danny and to me. And I praise Him! I also have a lap blanket that was given to me by a church group that prayed me through cancer treatments. I use it in my study when sitting at my computer, and it reminds me of the outpouring of prayer on my behalf during that difficult time. And I praise Him! 

• Gather your “stones” now in order to cultivate and maintain an attitude of gratitude. (A bulletin from a meaningful church service, a picture of a friend, a pressed flower from a funeral … You get the idea.)

II. VERBAL PRAISE 
Joshua 4:19-24

• What did the visual stones mean? Joshua 4:22-24.

• What were the Israelites to do with the memories of their experiences of God’s power? Joshua 4:6-7, 22.

• Who are the living stones today?      1 Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 2:19-22.

• What are at least two reasons for you and me to give verbal testimony for the blessings God has given us? Joshua 4:24; Luke 1:1-4; John 4:28-42; John 20:30-31; 1 John 1:1-4.

• When others look at your life, do they seek an explanation for what they see and hear? What explanation do you give them? 

• What testimony are you leaving behind for your children and/or grandchildren? What can you do to make sure they get it? Psalm 78:3-4; 71:17-18; 89:1-2; 102:18; 145:3-5.

III. VICTORIOUS PRAISE
Joshua 5:13-6:20

• After the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River into the promised land, who confronted Joshua, and what did He say? Joshua 5:13-6:5.

• What did Joshua do in response? Joshua 6:12-14.

• What accompanied the Israelites’ victory over the enemy stronghold? Joshua 6:15-16, 20-21. Relate this to Psalm 20:4-5.

• Describe the situation King Jehoshaphat was confronted with in 2 Chronicles 20:1-2. 

• After turning to the Lord in prayer, what was unique about the way Jehoshaphat overcame the enemy? 2 Chronicles 20:3-4, 12, 20-22.

• When Paul and Silas were unjustly imprisoned in Philippi, how did they have victory? Acts 16:16-34.

• At the end of human history as we know it, how do followers of Jesus experience victory over the enemy? Revelation 12:10-12; 19:1-8 (count the hallelujahs). 

• Do you need victory over a habit? A memory? A stronghold of sin? A visible or invisible enemy? Name whatever or whoever it is as you take it to the Lord in prayer. Then make an alphabetical list of God’s names and/or attributes for which you can praise Him until you have victory. 

Take a moment now to reflect on who God is and how He has blessed you in good times and bad. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart to recognize and remember His goodness, faithfulness, mercy and love. Write down what comes to mind. Make two copies … one to keep, and one to give to someone else as a testimony of what God has done for you. Then keep on praising Him …  ©2024 Anne Graham Lotz  

This article is adapted from a study originally published in February 2009.

Anne Graham Lotz has proclaimed God’s Word worldwide for more than 40 years. Her newest book, which she co-authored with her daughter Rachel-Ruth Wright, is Preparing to Meet Jesus—Moving From Salvation to Transformation. It can be ordered from major booksellers online.