March 20th
Today’s Reading
Joshua 7–8
Psalm 69
Scripture Focus
“But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. …”
Joshua 7:1 NLT
“Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you.”
Joshua 7:13 NLT
Reflection
My sweet sister,
Joshua 7 reminds me how serious sin really is. The people of Israel had just seen the mighty hand of God. He had guided them, fought for them, and given them victory. But even after all that, one man chose his own way over God’s clear instruction. Desire overtook obedience. What looked hidden to man was fully seen by God.
And that is still true for us today.
The Lord guides us, directs us, and leads us in the way we should go, yet sometimes we still choose our own way. We make excuses. We minimize compromise. We hold on to things God has already told us to let go of. We hide attitudes, habits, thoughts, and desires, thinking they are small or manageable. But hidden sin always affects more than we think.
God told Israel they would not stand before their enemies until the accursed thing was removed. That is such a powerful warning for us. There are battles we keep struggling in because we are refusing to deal with what God has already brought to the surface. We want victory, but we do not always want surrender. We want freedom, but we do not always want to remove the thing that is feeding the bondage.
It is a choice.
A choice to bring it forward.
A choice to remove it.
A choice to stop excusing it.
A choice to agree with God about it.
And yet, praise 🙌 God, this is not a hopeless message. We are not left to deal with sin in our own strength. Jesus has already paid the price. Our sins were nailed to the cross. He died so we would not have to stay bound to the things that defile us. Because of His sacrifice, we can come into the light, confess, repent, and walk free.
Joshua 8 shows us that failure does not have to be the end of the story. After sin was dealt with, God told Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Then He gave them victory. What mercy. What grace. God restores forward movement when His people choose obedience.
So today, let us not ignore what the Holy Spirit is pointing out. Let us not protect what Jesus died to free us from. Let us choose surrender over excuses, holiness over hidden compromise, and obedience over desire.
What we remove in obedience makes room for freedom.
Lesson for Me
If I want to walk in victory, I must be willing to let God search me and remove whatever does not belong in my life. Hidden sin will hinder me, but honest repentance opens the way for restoration, cleansing, and renewed strength.
Now it’s time to examine my heart. Ask yourself…
•Is there anything hidden in my heart that I have been excusing instead of removing?
•Have I been blaming my struggles on circumstances when God is really calling me to repentance?
•What desire has tried to overtake my obedience?
•Am I willing to bring into the light what I have tried to keep hidden?
•Do I truly believe that because of the cross, I can walk in freedom?
Prayer 🙏
Lord, thank You for loving me enough to confront what is hidden. Thank You that You do not expose sin to shame me, but to free me. Search my heart and show me anything that does not belong. Help me stop making excuses for the things You have already told me to remove. Give me the courage to bring it into the light and surrender it fully to You. Thank You that my sins were nailed to the cross and that through Jesus I do not have to remain bound. Cleanse me, strengthen me, and lead me forward in obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus and journal what He is telling you about this message. Is there something He wants you to remove, surrender, or stop excusing? Write what He shows you, and ask Him for the strength to obey fully.
Today’s Reading
Joshua 7–8
Psalm 69
Scripture Focus
“But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. …”
Joshua 7:1 NLT
“Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you.”
Joshua 7:13 NLT
Reflection
My sweet sister,
Joshua 7 reminds me how serious sin really is. The people of Israel had just seen the mighty hand of God. He had guided them, fought for them, and given them victory. But even after all that, one man chose his own way over God’s clear instruction. Desire overtook obedience. What looked hidden to man was fully seen by God.
And that is still true for us today.
The Lord guides us, directs us, and leads us in the way we should go, yet sometimes we still choose our own way. We make excuses. We minimize compromise. We hold on to things God has already told us to let go of. We hide attitudes, habits, thoughts, and desires, thinking they are small or manageable. But hidden sin always affects more than we think.
God told Israel they would not stand before their enemies until the accursed thing was removed. That is such a powerful warning for us. There are battles we keep struggling in because we are refusing to deal with what God has already brought to the surface. We want victory, but we do not always want surrender. We want freedom, but we do not always want to remove the thing that is feeding the bondage.
It is a choice.
A choice to bring it forward.
A choice to remove it.
A choice to stop excusing it.
A choice to agree with God about it.
And yet, praise 🙌 God, this is not a hopeless message. We are not left to deal with sin in our own strength. Jesus has already paid the price. Our sins were nailed to the cross. He died so we would not have to stay bound to the things that defile us. Because of His sacrifice, we can come into the light, confess, repent, and walk free.
Joshua 8 shows us that failure does not have to be the end of the story. After sin was dealt with, God told Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Then He gave them victory. What mercy. What grace. God restores forward movement when His people choose obedience.
So today, let us not ignore what the Holy Spirit is pointing out. Let us not protect what Jesus died to free us from. Let us choose surrender over excuses, holiness over hidden compromise, and obedience over desire.
What we remove in obedience makes room for freedom.
Lesson for Me
If I want to walk in victory, I must be willing to let God search me and remove whatever does not belong in my life. Hidden sin will hinder me, but honest repentance opens the way for restoration, cleansing, and renewed strength.
Now it’s time to examine my heart. Ask yourself…
•Is there anything hidden in my heart that I have been excusing instead of removing?
•Have I been blaming my struggles on circumstances when God is really calling me to repentance?
•What desire has tried to overtake my obedience?
•Am I willing to bring into the light what I have tried to keep hidden?
•Do I truly believe that because of the cross, I can walk in freedom?
Prayer 🙏
Lord, thank You for loving me enough to confront what is hidden. Thank You that You do not expose sin to shame me, but to free me. Search my heart and show me anything that does not belong. Help me stop making excuses for the things You have already told me to remove. Give me the courage to bring it into the light and surrender it fully to You. Thank You that my sins were nailed to the cross and that through Jesus I do not have to remain bound. Cleanse me, strengthen me, and lead me forward in obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus and journal what He is telling you about this message. Is there something He wants you to remove, surrender, or stop excusing? Write what He shows you, and ask Him for the strength to obey fully.
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Type your new text here.