Rocks and Stones

Our November theme for the Today devotions, written by Julia Prins Vanderveen, is “Rocks and Stones.”

Most of us have walked along the seashore at one time or another, searching intently, usually at the waterline, for rocks or stones that seem especially beautiful. I live in Michigan, and a favorite place to hunt for Petoskey stones is along the shores of Lake Michigan near the town with the same name as the elusive stones. Beautiful stones can be found—if you look hard enough—right on the seashore. Sometimes you find nothing, and at other times you can go home with your pockets full. Children especially are fascinated by the beauty of a smooth rock, polished by the wave action on the beach. But it’s not only on the beach; fascinating rocks and stones can be found anywhere if you just look for them.

Our author for the month of November highlights rocks and stones as mentioned in the Bible. She says, “The Bible uses all kinds of metaphors to reveal truth to us. God knows that sometimes the most obvious things around us can give us deep insights. For example, rocks and stones—nonliving materials all over the earth—are often mentioned in the Bible.”

Maybe you can think of some biblical references to rocks or stones. Jesus was tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread; Moses struck a rock in the wilderness and water gushed out; the psalms often refer to God as our Rock and our fortress. These and many other biblical references will be highlighted as our author explores these metaphors, “Rocks and Stones.”

Julia Prins Vanderveen is the mother of three young boys who love to hunt for rocks and stones along the seashore and in other places. She has worked in campus ministry and co-pastored a church with her husband. She is currently a teacher and counselor at a Christian school in Vancouver, British Columbia.

As you read the Today devotionals this month, may you be refreshed, refocused, and renewed in God’s Word!