WHAT RIGHT?
Today`s reading: Joshua 21-24

``We have built this altar because we fear that in the future your descendants will say to ours, What right do you have to worship the Lord, the God of Israel?`` Joshua 22:24 NLT

The tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh had been hard at work helping the remaining tribes settle into their new land. They had made a promise to Moses, and the others clans to do all they could to secure the Promised Land for them before returning across the Jordan River to the land they had claimed, with God`s blessing.

The battles, skirmishes and fights were now over and they two and one-half tribes were preparing to cross over to their home, but they needed to make sure of one thing...

They needed to know that there would be no doubt, ever, of their belonging to the community of God--no matter where they lived.

So they built a replica altar as a memorial.

A reminder to themselves, their posterity and to others that they knew and worshiped the One True God.

They wanted this memorial to keep any barriers broken down that might prevent united worship.

We need those kinds of memorials in our churches and lives today.

For my sake, and for yours.

We need to make sure to notice memorials built for the purpose of marking spiritual growth--so we don`t separate ourselves from new believers or seasoned saints.

We need to acknowledge memorials built for the purpose of reminding us of grace--all we have received and all we are called to give.

We need to see memorials like this and realize how varied our personal worship may be, but how deserving and encompassing our Savior is of our attempts.

Differences will always exist, therefore our focus on God cannot change.

Look for memorials...in your life and in theirs.