n Joshua chapter 6, after the walls of Jericho fell, God gave clear instructions. The silver, gold, and valuable items were to be set apart for Him. They were not to be taken for personal use. But Achan chose to take some of those items and hide them under his tent. It seemed small. It was not.
In the very next scene, Joshua sent a smaller group of men to take the city of Ai. It should have been an easy win. Instead, they were chased away, and thirty six men lost their lives. What looked like a simple battle turned into a painful defeat.
Joshua went before the Lord, confused and discouraged. God’s answer was direct. Israel had taken what was devoted, and because of that, they could not stand against their enemies. Then came the hard truth: they would not move forward until it was dealt with.
Sometimes we try to keep going when something behind us needs attention. We tell ourselves we do not have time. We convince ourselves it is not a big deal. So we press on, hoping things will work out. But what is hidden has a way of affecting what is ahead.
God’s discipline is not random. It is purposeful. At times it comes through failure. At times through discomfort. At times through that quiet conviction that will not go away. It is His way of saying, stop for a moment. Do not ignore this.
Moving forward is not always about pushing harder. Sometimes it means stepping back and making things right. It may take time. It may be uncomfortable. But it clears the way for what God wants to do next.
And here is the encouragement. One failure does not define a life. A setback is not the end of the story. After the issue was addressed, Joshua and the Israelites returned to Ai and experienced victory.
If God is calling attention to something, it is not to hold you back. It is to prepare you to move forward with strength and clarity.
Additional Resources
The Blueprint for Life eight week study will help you discover God’s will for your life in five areas: Spiritual; Relational; Physical; Financial; and Career. The study contains a personalized workbook and ten audio messages featuring Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, Tony Evans, John Maxwell and others. Click here to check it out!
