September 13, 2026 | Israel Remembers God’s Deeds

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Devotional Reading: Luke 8:35–39

Background Scripture: Exodus 14; Joshua 3:1–4:24

Introduction

A. Monuments of Memory

Etched into the interior stone walls of the Lincoln Memorial is the following statement, visible to all who visit the ninety-nine-foot-tall structure in Washington, DC:

“In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.”

The influence of the sixteenth US president is undeniable. He played a significant role in ending the Civil War, establishing freedom for thousands of enslaved people through the Emancipation Proclamation, and helping to ensure the integrity of the struggling union. Two years after his death, Congress passed the first bills to begin the process of designing a memorial to honor the slain president. Today, this memorial commemorates his service and accomplishments, inviting visitors to reflect on his efforts to create a nation characterized by “liberty and justice for all.”

Memorials and monuments help people remember influential people or significant events. Some memorials serve a distinctly spiritual purpose in reminding people of God’s faithfulness and work. As the ancient Israelites entered the promised land, they commemorated their history and the mighty acts of the Lord for just such a purpose.