The Daily Dose

Victory after Setback

_{Now the Lord said to Joshua: “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. ~ Joshua 8:1}

Have you ever felt the weight of a setback so heavy that you felt like giving up?  Maybe the loss of progress made you question if you should even try again? It’s in those moment when you know what God said, but your last experience did not go the way you expected so you begin to doubt if it will ever happen. The disappointment lingers, the questions come, and fear tries to convince you that maybe this time will be the same. Yet right in that place, the Holy Spirit whispers, not condemnation, not doubt, but direction and encouragement.

In today’s scripture reading, there is a powerful moment where God calls His people forward after a painful defeat. He doesn’t leave them in their failure. He gives them a new strategy, renews their courage, and leads them into victory. This chapter is a clear example that as children of God, our setbacks are not the end of the story.

Here are three truths to hold onto when God calls you to get back up and move forward again:

1. God calls you forward, even after failure

Joshua had already experienced defeat at Ai in the previous chapter. It could have been easy to hesitate or shrink back, but God commanded clearly, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. God did not define Joshua by the loss. He called him to get back up again and move forward with purpose.

In your daily life, this may look like trying again in an area where you once struggled. Maybe you stepped out in faith, and it did not turn out how you hoped. It could be a relationship, a ministry opportunity, or even a personal goal. Instead of withdrawing, God may be prompting you to take a step forward again. When you hear His direction, choose obedience over fear. Trust that He is not sending you back empty handed, He is sending you forward with His promise.

2. God gives strategy for the victory

This time, God gave Joshua a clear plan to approach Ai different than before. There was an ambush, a positioning, a timing that mattered. Victory was not just about showing up, it was about following God’s plan and instruction.

For us today, this reminds us to seek God’s wisdom in every step. Sometimes we assume we can approach situations the same way every time and get different results, but God is leading with supernatural instructions that may not make sense, but will work every time. In your current circumstances, take time to pray and listen. If you are facing a challenge at work, in your family, or in your calling, ask God for His strategy. Then act on what He shows you, even if it feels unfamiliar. His way always leads to breakthrough.

3. God restores what was lost

In the previous defeat at Ai, Israel experienced loss and discouragement. But with the plan of God not only did they get the victory, but they also were able to take the spoils of the city. What was once a place of defeat became a place of reward and restoration.

This truth is so powerful for us. God can turn the very place where you experienced loss into a testimony of His faithfulness. Maybe you have lost confidence, peace, or even opportunities. When you walk with God and follow His lead, He has a way of restoring and even increasing what was taken. In your daily life, hold onto hope. What felt like a closed door will become the place where God shows His goodness in a greater way than you ever expected.

I remember when I first had the idea to begin writing the Daily Dose. At the time, I didn’t fully understand that it was something God had called me to do. I started without a clear plan and began writing randomly, and before long I felt overwhelmed and gave up after just a few days. About a year later, I began to recognize that this wasn’t just a passing idea, it was something God had placed in my heart with purpose. It wasn’t something I could simply choose to do or walk away from, it was connected to my calling, and until I embraced it, I felt a sense that I was not moving forward the way God planned for me. Even after stepping away, the idea never truly left me like I thought it would. I felt discouraged and questioned if I had heard Him correctly, and for a while I hesitated to step out again. But God gently reminded me that one outcome did not cancel His calling. As I spent time with Him, He began to show me a new approach and a clearer way to move forward. When I followed His lead this time, I saw things come together in ways I could not have planned on my own. What once felt like failure became a steppingstone into something far greater, and it deepened my trust in Him, reminding me that when God calls us, He is faithful to guide us every step of the way.

Today I want to encourage you, whatever setback you have faced does not disqualify you from the victory God has prepared. He is speaking courage over you, giving you direction and restoring what was lost. Do not let fear or discouragement keep you from stepping forward again. Trust His voice, follow His lead, and watch how He turns your past defeat into a powerful testimony of His faithfulness.

Today’s scripture reading: Joshua 8

1 Now the Lord said to Joshua: “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. 

2 And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it.”

3 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai; and Joshua chose thirty thousand mighty men of valor and sent them away by night. 

4 And he commanded them, saying: “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready. 

5 Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city; and it will come about, when they come out against us as at the first, that we shall flee before them. 

6 For they will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city, for they will say, ‘They are fleeing before us as at the first.’ Therefore we will flee before them. 

7 Then you shall rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand. 

8 And it will be, when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire. According to the commandment of the Lord you shall do. See, I have commanded you.”

9 Joshua therefore sent them out; and they went to lie in ambush, and stayed between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai; but Joshua lodged that night among the people. 

10 Then Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. 

11 And all the people of war who were with him went up and drew near; and they came before the city and camped on the north side of Ai. Now a valley lay between them and Ai. 

12 So he took about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. 

13 And when they had set the people, all the army that was on the north of the city, and its rear guard on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.

14 Now it happened, when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose early and went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at an appointed place before the plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. 

15 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them and fled by the way of the wilderness. 

16 So all the people who were in Ai were called together to pursue them. And they pursued Joshua and were drawn away from the city. 

17 There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. So, they left the city open and pursued Israel.

18 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand toward the city. 

19 So those in ambush arose quickly out of their place; they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand, and they entered the city and took it, and hurried to set the city on fire. 

20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven. So, they had no power to flee this way or that way, and the people who had fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers.

21 Now when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city and that the smoke of the city ascended, they turned back and struck down the men of Ai. 

22 Then the others came out of the city against them; so they were caught in the midst of Israel, some on this side and some on that side. And they struck them down, so that they let none of them remain or escape. 

23 But the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.

24 And it came to pass when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness where they pursued them, and when they all had fallen by the edge of the sword until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned to Ai and struck it with the edge of the sword. 

25 So it was that all who fell that day, both men and women, were twelve thousand—all the people of Ai. 

26 For Joshua did not draw back his hand, with which he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. 

27 Only the livestock and the spoil of that city Israel took as booty for themselves, according to the word of the Lord which He had commanded Joshua. 

28 So Joshua burned Ai and made it a heap forever, a desolation to this day. 

29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until evening. And as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his corpse down from the tree, cast it at the entrance of the gate of the city, and raise over it a great heap of stones that remains to this day.

30 Now Joshua built an altar to the Lord God of Israel in Mount Ebal, 

31 as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “an altar of whole stones over which no man has wielded an iron tool.” And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings. 

32 And there, in the presence of the children of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. 

33 Then all Israel, with their elders and officers and judges, stood on either side of the ark before the priests, the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, the stranger as well as he who was born among them. Half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. 

34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. 

35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them.

Journal:

• What setback have I allowed to hold me back from moving forward again
• Where might God be giving me a new strategy that I have not yet considered
• What is one step of obedience I can take today to move forward in faith
• How have I seen God bring restoration in my life before, and how can that encourage me now

When Hidden Things Block Forward Movement

Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the Lord God of Israel: “There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.” ~ Joshus 7:13

Have you ever felt like you were moving forward with God, seeing progress, and then suddenly things felt stuck or even pushed backward? It’s confusing when you know God has called you forward, yet something seems to resist that forward momentum. In today’s scripture reading, the Israelites had just experienced a powerful victory at Jericho but then faced an unexpected defeat at Ai. What they didn’t realize right away was that something hidden had hindered their ability to move forward in the strength God had given them.

As God’s people in the world today, we are called to walk in freedom, authority, and purpose, but sometimes there are things beneath the surface that God, in His love, wants to bring into the light so we can continue moving forward without resistance.

Here are three points to help us understand that God is not trying to hold us back, He is calling us into greater freedom and victory.

1. Hidden things can hinder forward progress

The Israelites were confident after their victory over Jericho, but they were unaware that disobedience had taken place within the camp. What was hidden affected the whole community and led to defeat.

In our daily lives, this can look like attitudes, habits, or thought patterns that we try to ignore or justify. It may not be obvious to others, but it impacts our peace, our confidence, and our ability to move forward. For example, if you are stepping into a new opportunity but are quietly holding onto fear or comparison, it can affect how you show up. Bringing those thoughts and external feelings before God and allowing Him to deal with them opens the door for renewed strength and clarity.

2. God reveals in order to restore

When the issue was brought into the open, it was not to shame the people, but to restore their ability to stand strong. God gave clear direction so that the problem could be addressed and removed.

Today, when God begins to highlight something in your heart, it is not condemnation, it is care. He sees what is limiting you and wants to free you from it. For example, if you notice a pattern of believing you are not enough, and it keeps you from stepping fully into what God has for you, use that awareness is an reminder to bring it before your heavenly Father. You can bring that belief to God, replace it with His truth, and begin to walk in a new level of confidence.

3. Obedience restores strength and victory

Once the Israelites dealt with what God had shown them, they were able to move forward again in victory. Their strength was restored when they responded to God’s instruction.

In your faith walk, obedience may look like making a small but significant change. It could be choosing to forgive someone, letting go of something that no longer belongs in your life, or stepping forward into something God has been prompting you to do. For example, if God has been nudging you to trust Him in an area where you have been holding back, your yes to Him becomes the turning point that leads to renewed momentum.

When my life was starting to turn back to the Lord, I wanted to walk closely with God, but I was still carrying pieces of my past that I hadn’t fully released. There were thoughts and fears that I had grown used to, and I didn’t realize how much they were affecting me. The Holy Spirit, in His kindness, began to gently show me what I was still holding onto. It was not always comfortable, but it was necessary. As I brought those things before Him and chose to trust Him step by step, I began to experience a deeper level of freedom. I noticed a shift, not just in my circumstances, but in my peace and confidence. What once held me back no longer had the same influence, and I could move forward with a greater sense of purpose.

Today I want to encourage you, if something feels off or if progress seems stalled, don’t be discouraged. God is faithful and will show you anything that needs to be released so you can walk fully in what He has prepared for you. Nothing He reveals is meant to harm you, it is meant to heal you and move you forward into victory. Trust His process, respond to His leading, and know that He is committed to your growth and freedom.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Joshua 7

1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel.

2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the country.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. 

3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for the people of Ai are few.” 

4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai. 

5 And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore, the hearts of the people melted and became like water.

6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. 

7 And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord God, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! 

8 O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? 

9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?”

10 So the Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 

11 Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. 

12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you. 

13 Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the Lord God of Israel: “There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.” 

14 In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes. And it shall be that the tribe which the Lord takes shall come according to families; and the family which the Lord takes shall come by households; and the household which the Lord takes shall come man by man. 

15 Then it shall be that he who is taken with the accursed thing shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’ ”

16 So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel by their tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken. 

17 He brought the clan of Judah, and he took the family of the Zarhites; and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man, and Zabdi was taken. 

18 Then he brought his household man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.

19 Now Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I beg you, give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.”

20 And Achan answered Joshua and said, “Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I have done: 

21 When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.”

22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver under it. 

23 And they took them from the midst of the tent, brought them to Joshua and to all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord. 

24 Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. 

25 And Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.” So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.

26 Then they raised over him a great heap of stones, still there to this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore, the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.

Journal:

• Is there anything God has been bringing to my attention that I need to release
• What thoughts or patterns have been quietly influencing how I move forward
• What step of obedience can I take today to experience greater freedom
• How can I invite God into the areas of my life that feel stuck

Waiting for your breakthrough

_{‘So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. ‘ ~ Joshua 6:20}

What do you do when God gives you a promise, but your reality still looks unchanged? The people of Israel had finally reached Jericho, a city that stood as a barrier between them and what God had already said was theirs. The instructions God gave them did not look like a battle plan. There were no weapons raised, no immediate breakthrough, just walking, waiting, and trusting. It must have felt unusual, even uncomfortable, to obey when nothing seemed to be happening. Yet, God was not just bringing down walls, He was building faith in His people.

Below are some ways that God works to stretch our trust before He reveals His power.

1. Following God’s direction and plan unlocks what you cannot see yet

The Israelites were asked to follow specific instructions that did not make logical sense. They walked around the walls day after day, without visible progress. Their obedience was not based on what they saw, but on who God is.

In your daily life, this might look like continuing to pray for your family even when you do not see change, or staying committed to something God called you to when results feel delayed. Maybe God has asked you to step into something new, and it feels uncertain and uncomfortable. Choosing to obey in those moments builds trust in Him. For example, if God is leading you to be consistent in your time with Him, even when life feels busy, that simple act of obedience is positioning you for breakthrough.

2. God’s timing is intentional, not delayed

For six days, nothing seemed to happen. The walls did not crack, shift, or weaken in any visible way. But on the seventh day, everything changed. God was not late, He was working according to His perfect timing. What the people could not see was that He was also working on the other side of the wall. As they marched in obedience, God was allowing intimidation and fear to build in the hearts of their enemies, immobilizing them and rendering them ineffective against His people.

In your life, there may be areas where you feel like you have been waiting longer than expected. It could be a breakthrough in your career, healing in a relationship, or clarity in your next step. Waiting does not mean God is absent. There are things He is doing that you cannot yet see, both in you and around you. For example, if you have been believing for direction in a new opportunity, use this waiting time to grow, prepare, and trust that when the time comes, God will move in a way that is undeniable.

3. Your voice matters in your victory

When the moment came, the people were instructed to shout. Their praise was part of the process that led to the walls falling. God included their participation in the breakthrough.

In your daily life, your words carry power. What you speak in moments of pressure matters. Instead of agreeing with fear or doubt, choose to speak in agreement with what God has said. For example, if you are facing insecurity in a new role or responsibility, you can say, “God has equipped me for this, and He is with me.” Your voice becomes an expression of faith and praise, even before you see the outcome.

I remember a times in my life when I was walking closely with God but still carrying pieces of my past. There were moments when old fears would try to remind me of who I used to be, especially when I was not listening to God’s direction in my life. I had stepped into something new, but my mind had not been fully renewed yet. God began to show me that I did not have to struggle or figure everything out on my own. As I stayed consistent in trusting Him, even when I didn’t see immediate change, He began to provide, guide, and strengthen me. Little by little, those old mindsets lost their grip on my heart, and I started to walk in a new level of peace and confidence. It was not instant, but just like the walls of Jericho, breakthrough came as I kept moving forward in obedience on a consistent basis.

Today I want to encourage you to recognize that the walls in front of you are not stronger than the God within you. What He has promised, He is faithful to complete. Keep walking, keep trusting, and keep lifting your voice in faith, even when you do not see immediate results. Your obedience, your patience, and your faith are all part of the process God is using to bring victory in your life.

Today’s scripture reading: Joshua 6

1 Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. 

2 And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. 

3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. 

4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 

5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

6 Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.” 

7 And he said to the people, “Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the Lord.”

8 So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them. 

9 The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 

10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.” 

11 So he had the ark of the Lord circle the city, going around it once. Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.

12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. 

13 Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually and blew with the trumpets. And the armed men went before them. But the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 

14 And the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. So they did six days.

15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only, they marched around the city seven times. 

16 And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city! 

17 Now the city shall be doomed by the Lord to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. 

18 And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. 

19 But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.”

20 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. 

21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

22 But Joshua had said to the two men who had spied out the country, “Go into the harlot’s house, and from there bring out the woman and all that she has, as you swore to her.” 

23 And the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all that she had. So they brought out all her relatives and left them outside the camp of Israel. 

24 But they burned the city and all that was in it with fire. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. 

25 And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

26 Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, “Cursed be the man before the Lord who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates.”

27 So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country.

Journal:

• What is one area where God is asking me to trust Him, even though I do not see results yet
• Where have I been tempted to give up, and how can I choose obedience instead
• What truth from God’s Word can I begin to speak over my current situation
• How has God been faithful to me in past seasons that I can hold onto today

Marked for More

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore, the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day. ~ Joshua 5:9

Have you ever stepped into something new that God was doing in your life, yet still felt the weight of where you came from trying to follow you into it? It is a strange place to be, standing in a promise while still carrying thoughts, fears, or labels from the past.

Today’s scripture reading takes place right after the Israelites crossed the Jordan. They were finally standing in the Promised Land, but before they moved forward into battle or possession, God paused them. He did something unexpected. He called them to consecration, to covenant, and to an encounter. In that moment, He told them that the reproach of Egypt was rolled away. In other words, what once defined them no longer had permission to shape their future.

As children of God today, we often want to rush ahead into what is next, but God is just as concerned with who we are becoming as He is with where we are going.

Here are some important truths in this chapter to consider.

1. God removes what no longer belongs to you

The Israelites had been out of Egypt for years, but something of Egypt had still clung to them. God made it clear that this was a moment of separation. He didn’t want them to stumble under the weight of having an identity as slaves, but instead to walk as children of the Most High God.

In your daily life, this may look like God dealing with old mindsets, fears, or insecurities that try to follow you into the next part of His plan. Maybe you have stepped into a new opportunity, a new level of responsibility, or a deeper walk with God, but you still hear thoughts that say you are not enough or that you will fail. God is reminding you that those things no longer belong to you. Take some time with the Holy Spirit today and let Him minister freedom to your heart.

Be intentional with your thoughts. When those old patterns try to lead you, remind yourself of what God says about you. For example, if you find yourself doubting your ability to step into something new, pause and say, “God has called me to this, and He will equip me.” You begin to walk in freedom by agreeing with the truth of God’s Word and His plan, instead of the lies of your past.

2. Preparation often comes before possession

Before the Israelites took the land, they went through a process of consecration. It wasn’t comfortable, but it was necessary. God was preparing them to be ready and stronger for what was ahead.

In today’s world, we often want quick results, but God works through preparation. Maybe you are in a season that feels slow or even uncomfortable. It might feel like things are not moving as quickly as you hoped. But what if God is strengthening you, shaping your character, and building your faith so that you can sustain what He is about to give you?

Start embracing where you are right now instead of resisting it. For example, if you are waiting for a breakthrough in your career, use this time to grow your skills, deepen your relationship with God, and develop consistency. When the opportunity comes, you will be ready to step into it with confidence because God has already done the work in you.

3. Encounter with God gives clarity for your next step

At the end of the chapter, Joshua has a powerful encounter with the Commander of the Lord’s army. Joshua asks, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” and the answer shifts his perspective. The focus was not about God taking sides, but about Joshua recognizing God’s authority and positioning himself to be in agreement with God’s plan not His agenda.

In your daily life, this reminds us that clarity does not come from striving, it comes from encountering God. When you take time to seek Him, He gives you direction, peace, and confidence for what is ahead.

You can apply this by creating space for God in your everyday routine. For example, before making a big decision, pause and spend time in prayer. Ask God for wisdom. Instead of rushing ahead based on pressure or fear, allow His presence to guide you. You may not always get every detail, but you will have the peace you need to take the next step.

It’s no secret that I came out of a life of deep bondage. As I began to walk closely with the Lord, it became clear that He was bringing me into something new. During that time, I realized I was still carrying pieces of my old identity with me. Old fears, old titles, and past mistakes would try to resurface, especially from when I was divorced and a single mother. I felt the weight of those labels so heavily.

Even though God had already begun to establish new things in my life, there were moments when those old thoughts would try to convince me that I had to figure everything out on my own and that I wasn’t good enough to receive God’s help.

But God began to work in my heart in a deeper way. He showed me that I wasn’t meant to carry that weight anymore. As I continued to walk with Him, I saw Him provide, guide, and strengthen me in ways that replaced those old fears with trust. Most of all, He gave me a new name, a new identity, and a new life.

It didn’t happen all at once, but step by step, He removed what no longer belonged in my life and in my heart. I began to experience greater peace and confidence, not because everything was perfect, but because I knew He was leading me.

That shift in perspective became a turning point. I realized I wasn’t just stepping into something new I was becoming someone new in Him.

Today I want to encourage you to let God finish what He is doing in you. If He is removing something, trust Him. As He is preparing you, stay faithful. If He is calling you to come closer, make space for Him. You aren’t who you used to be, and you aren’t stepping into this next season alone. The same God who rolled away the reproach for the Israelites is working in your life, setting you apart, strengthening you, and leading you forward into everything He has prepared for you.

Today’s scripture reading: Joshua 5

1 So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel.

2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.” 

3 So Joshua made flint knives for himself, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 

4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Egypt. 

5 For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised. 

6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people who were men of war, who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord—to whom the Lord swore that He would not show them the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, “a land flowing with milk and honey.” 

7 Then Joshua circumcised their sons whom He raised up in their place; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.

8 So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed. 

9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day.

10 Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. 

11 And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. 

12 Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.

The Commander of the Army of the Lord

13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”

14 So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”

15 Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Journal:

• What is something from my past that God is asking me to release in this season
• Where might God be preparing me right now, even if I do not fully understand it
• How can I create intentional time to seek God’s direction in my daily life

Stones that Speak

Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ ~ Joshua 4:21

What if the moments you are walking through right now are meant to speak long after you have moved on from them? Not just for you, but for someone else who will one day need proof that God still moves, still provides, and still makes a way.

Today’s scripture reading shows us a powerful picture. God had just brought His people through the Jordan River on dry ground, something that seemed impossible just a few moments before. But instead of rushing ahead into the promise, God told them to stop and build a memorial with twelve stones. Why? He knew that because of their human nature there would be days when they would forget what He had done. He also knew there would be future generations who needed a visible reminder that God was faithful and always would be faithful.

We are no different today. Life moves fast. Answers come, prayers are fulfilled, and before we know it, we are on to the next challenge and the next request to our heavenly Father. But He is still calling us to remember what He brought us through in the past.

Before we move forward, let’s look at what these stones mean for us today.

1. Remember what God has already done

It is easy to focus on what is not happening yet and forget what we have already come through. The Israelites could have quickly celebrated and moved on, but God instructed them to pause and remember.

In your daily life, this might look like writing down answered prayers, keeping a journal, or even pausing during your day to thank God for something specific He has done. Maybe you once prayed for peace in your home, and now there is calm where there used to be tension. Maybe you were once worried about provision, and God came through in a way you did not expect. When new challenges come, those memories become your strength. Instead of saying, “Will God come through,” you begin to say, “God has done it before, and I know He will do it again.”

2. Let your story become someone else’s encouragement

God did not tell them to build the stones just for themselves. He said their children would ask about them. Their testimony would become a teaching tool and a message of God’s faithfulness to coming generations.

In today’s world, people are searching for something real. They do not need perfect people, they need honest stories. When you share how God carried you through a hard season, it gives someone else hope. Maybe a friend is struggling with fear, and you share how God helped you overcome anxiety. Maybe someone feels alone, and you remind them how God met you in your lowest moment. Your story and your testimonies are often the very thing that helps someone else keep going.

3. Build reminders in the middle of your breakthrough

The stones were gathered from the middle of the Jordan, the very place where God made a way. That detail matters. They did not wait until everything was completely settled, they marked the moment right there.

Sometimes we wait until everything is perfect before we acknowledge God’s hand, but there is power in recognizing Him right in the middle of your struggle. Maybe you are not fully through your situation yet, but you can already see God moving. You can say, “This is hard, but God is sustaining and helping me.” You can celebrate small victories. You can thank Him for progress. Those moments become anchors for your faith when the road feels long.

Many of the circumstances that I live in every day are a testimony of God’s faithfulness. There was a time in my life when I carried so much fear, especially as a single mother. I worried about how I would provide, how I would protect my children, and whether I would have the strength to step into something new when God was calling me forward. Those were not easy days. There were moments when I questioned if I had what it took, and moments when the unknown felt overwhelming. But as I began to follow His direction and trust His plan, one step at a time, I started to see Him show up in ways I never expected.

Each new step became a marker. Doors opened that I couldn’t have opened on my own. Provision came right when it was needed most, not always early, but never late. Peace would settle in during moments that should have been filled with anxiety. Strength would come when I felt like I had none left to give. From my blessed marriage to my blended family, even my ministry employment and the very home I live in, these are not just parts of my life, they are living reminders of God’s hand on every detail. My children and grandchildren can now see through my life and my surroundings a living example of what it means to trust God and walk in His faithfulness.

These markers have become memorial stones for me and those around me. They represent the prayers I cried out, the direction I received from the Holy Spirit, and the faith it took to keep moving forward when I could not see the full picture. Looking back now, I can clearly see that God was leading every step, even when I didn’t recognize it in the moment. Because He has proven Himself faithful in the hard times, I carry a deeper trust in Him today for my current struggles. I know that whatever I face, He will continue to lead, provide, and make a way.

Today I want to encourage you to start building your stones. Do not rush past what God is doing in your life right now. Take notice. Remember the prayers He has answered. Share your story with someone who needs hope. Mark the moments where He has made a way, even if you are still walking it out. The same God who parted the Jordan is working in your life, and your testimony will speak not only to you, but also to others who need to know that He is still faithful.

Today’s scripture reading: Joshua 4

1 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: 

2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 

3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’ ”

4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 

5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 

6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 

7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the Lord had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. 

9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.

10 So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. 

11 Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the Lord and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people. 

12 And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them. 

13 About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the Lord for battle, to the plains of Jericho. 

14 On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life.

15 Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, 

16 “Command the priests who bear the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan.” 

17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, “Come up from the Jordan.” 

18 And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before.

19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 

20 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. 

21 Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 

22 then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; 

23 for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 

24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

Journal:

• What are three specific things God has done in my life that I do not want to forget
• How can I intentionally remind myself of God’s faithfulness during difficult moments
• Who in my life needs to hear part of my story, and how can I share it with them

An Atmosphere for Producing Results

_{And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. ~ Mark 5:40}

What you allow around you can determine what God is able to produce through you. Have you ever received a direction from God and felt that excitement rise up inside of you, knowing you are about to take a step of faith? Then almost immediately, you share it with someone close to you, and instead of encouragement, you are met with the many reasons why it won’t work.

Most of the time, they are not trying to hurt you. They believe they are helping. But they are not considering that you are following the leading of the Holy Spirit and that God already has a plan in place for you to follow.

This is exactly what Jairus experienced when he brought Jesus to his home. By the time they arrived, the atmosphere was filled with grief because his daughter had died. The people were sincere in their sorrow, but when Jesus said she was only sleeping, they ridiculed Him. They were convinced they knew better.

I love what Jesus did next. He put them all outside.

That was bold. It was not even His house. These were likely friends and relatives of Jairus, people he had known for years. Some may have been offended, some may have felt hurt, and I’m sure they questioned why Jairus allowed it.

But Jesus was not concerned about their opinions because He was protecting the environment of faith for a miracle.

It was not about needing quiet or about being annoyed with the wailing. It was about the unbelief that was in the heart of those at Jairus’ house. Jesus refused to allow doubt, negative words, and opposing attitudes to interfere with what God was about to do.

Scripture shows us that what we are holding onto in our hearts matters. Even Jesus could do no mighty works in His own hometown because of unbelief, (See Matthew 13:58). That tells us something powerful. Our heart, our attitude, and the voices we allow around us play a significant role in the release of God’s power into our circumstances.

If you want to walk fully in what God is leading you to do and what He wants to do in your life, there will be times you must make a choice. You can’t hold onto the opinions of others and expect to move forward in faith at the same time.

There are moments when you will have to quiet the outside voices so you can stay focused on what God has already promised you. Sometimes that means creating distance from doubt. Sometimes it means not sharing everything too soon and sometimes it means choosing to believe God even when no one else understands.

If you keep surrounding your faith with unbelief, it will be harder to move forward. But when you protect what God has placed in your heart, you open up the way for Him to move.

Here are some ways to get started today:

1. Pay attention to the voices you are listening to, ask yourself if they are building your faith or feeding your doubt
2. Be wise about who you share God given direction with, choose people who will encourage your obedience
3. Limit conversations that pull you away from what God has spoken, even if they sound reasonable
4. Strengthen your confidence by going back to the Word and reminding yourself of His promises
5. Take one step of obedience today, even if it feels small, movement builds momentum

God is not asking you to isolate yourself from people, but He is asking you to guard what He is doing in you and through you. There is too much at stake to let doubt have a voice in your decisions.

Today I want to encourage you to protect the word God has spoken over your life, to quiet every voice that contradicts His truth, and to step forward in faith with confidence, knowing that when you trust Him fully, you are creating the space for Him to produce results that only He can bring.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 5:35-43

35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 

37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 

38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 

39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”

40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 

41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 

42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 

43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

Journal:

• What has God recently placed on your heart that requires a step of faith
• Are there any voices or opinions that have caused you to hesitate or question what God said
• Who in your life encourages your faith and helps you move forward in obedience
• What is one step you can take today to protect and act on what God has spoken to you
• How can you strengthen your focus on God’s truth when doubt tries to enter your thoughts

Press into God

When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” ~ Mark 5:27-28

Most times in life the breakthrough you’ve been praying for is closer than you think, and all it takes is one determined step of faith to reach it?

I can’t even imagine what the woman in today’s scripture reading must have been going through. She was sick for twelve long years. The passage says she suffered through many treatments from many physicians. In that time, those treatments were often harsh, painful and even medieval. Not only that, but this woman spent all of her time and everything she had just for the chance to be made well, and instead of improving, she only grew worse.

After twelve years, it must have seemed like all hope was gone. On top of everything, she was considered unclean. The law required her to stay away from others because she was seen as contagious. She was isolated, worn down, and likely exhausted in every way. She was an outcast of society, but then she heard about Jesus.

When that happened, something shifted in her perspective and suddenly she had a glimmer of hope. Not a weak hope, not a maybe, but a deep conviction inside. So much so that the scripture says she kept saying, “If I can just touch His clothes, I will be made well.” She didn’t say it once and move on. She said it again and again until it took root in her heart. She continued to say it until she got to Him. What she heard about Jesus, she repeated to herself until faith came alive inside of her, then she acted on it.

She pushed through the crowd. Weak, tired, and probably in pain, she made her way toward Him. She didn’t wait until she felt better. She didn’t wait for perfect conditions. She moved forward in faith right in the middle of her struggle.

She reached out and touched the hem of His garment, which indicated that she was probably crawling through the immense crowd because of her weakened condition.

In that moment, everything changed. Jesus felt power leave Him. Out of all the people pressing in around Him, only one person drew that power. Why? Because only one reached out in faith that He would heal her.

Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

It wasn’t the crowd or the proximity. It was her faith. She heard, she spoke, she believed, and she acted.

The part I love in this account is that even though she didn’t feel strong or look qualified, she wasn’t even supposed to be there. But none of that stopped her. Her condition didn’t disqualify her, and her feelings didn’t define her. Her faith led her and moved her to the place of her salvation and healing.

How often do we do just the opposite when we don’t feel well or get discouraged when things seem too hard.  Instead we usually pull back, wait or hesitate, using the weakness as an excuse rather than an opportunity to get closer to Him. But this woman pressed in. She made a decision that her answer was found in Jesus, and nothing was going to keep her from getting to Him.

Maybe today, your faith just needs to be redirected. Not in what you see, not in how you feel, but in who He is and what He has already said.

Here are some ways you can get started today:

1. Find a promise in God’s Word that speaks directly to your situation, write it down, and keep it in front of you daily.
2. Speak that promise out loud consistently, not just once, but until it settles deep in your heart and changes your circumstances.
3. Make time to be in His presence, through prayer, worship, or being in a place where His Word is taught and don’t isolate.
4. Take a step of faith even if you don’t feel ready, action strengthens what you believe in your heart.
5. Stay consistent, even when you don’t see immediate results, faith grows through persistence

Faith comes by hearing, and sometimes that means hearing yourself repeat out loud what God has already said.

Today I want to encourage you to press into God with bold, unwavering faith. Don’t let your circumstances, your feelings, or your past experiences hold you back. Just like the woman who reached for Jesus, you can reach for Him right where you are. Keep speaking His promises, keep moving toward Him, and trust that His power is still available to meet you in your moment of need.

Today’s scripture reading:  Mark 5:25-34

25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 

26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 

27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 

28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 

30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”

31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 

33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 

34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Journal Questions

• What area of your life do you need to press into God for right now
• What promise from God’s Word can you begin speaking over your situation
• What has been holding you back from taking a step of faith
• What is one action you can take today to move closer to Jesus
• How can you stay consistent in building your faith through hearing and speaking His Word

Step in before you see it

“And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, will rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they will stand as a heap.” ~ Joshua 3:13

There comes a moment in everyone’s walk with God where He will ask His people to move before you see anything change in our circumstances. It is that place where everything in the natural is telling you to wait, but deep in your spirit you know He is saying go. Today’s scripture reading captures that picture so clearly. The river was at flood stage, completely impossible to cross on their own, but God didn’t part the waters first. He asked them to step in to see the miracle happen.

That is often how He works in our lives. As children of God, we want clarity before we move, confirmation before we obey, and evidence before we act. But our heavenly Father calls us into a deeper place of trust, the kind that moves because He said so, not because we can see the outcome.

Here are three points that will help you remember that breakthrough usually begins with a step, not a sign:

1.God’s direction will often require you to move before you see the miracle

The priests had to carry the ark and physically step into the Jordan before anything changed. The water didn’t part while they were standing safely on the shore. It moved when they obeyed and took the next step.

Many times this will look like taking a step when you don’t feel fully ready. Maybe God has been prompting you to start something, have a conversation, or make a change, but you have been waiting until you feel more certain. Obedience in this season might be sending that message, making that call, or saying yes to something even when you can’t see how it will all work out. When you move, God meets you there.

2.Staying close to His presence will keep you on the right path

The people of Israel were told to follow the ark, which represented the presence of God. They were not responsible for figuring everything out, they were responsible for staying close and following God’s instructions.

You don’t have to have every detail figured out. Your focus is not having the perfect plan, it is staying connected to Him and following the plan step by faith step. In your everyday life, this will look like starting your day with Him, getting into His Word, and paying attention to those gentle promptings throughout the day. When decisions come up, instead of rushing, you pause and ask, Lord, what are You leading me to do here. His presence will guide you.

3.Preparation positions you for what God is about to do

Joshua told the people to consecrate themselves because God was about to do wonders among them. There was preparation for the people. This was their part of the plan to complete before the miracle came.

Preparation starts with creating space for God in your life, stepping away from distractions, being intentional with your time with Him and surrendering things that have been holding you back. Maybe you have been feeling overwhelmed or disconnected. Even setting aside fifteen minutes to sit with Him, read scripture, and listen to the Holy Spirit inside you can shift your heart into a place where you are ready for what He wants to do through your life next.

There have been many time in my life when I felt like I was standing right at my own Jordan River. I knew God was leading me into something new, but I could not see how it was all going to come together. Everything in me wanted to wait until I had more clarity. But I had been praying, and I knew what He was asking me to do. So I made the decision to move forward based on what He had already spoken to my heart. It was not a big dramatic step, it was simple obedience, and honestly it felt uncomfortable. But as I moved, I started to see things shift. Doors began to open, direction became clearer, and what once felt uncertain started to make sense. Not because I had it all figured out, but because I trusted Him enough to step in.

Today I want to encourage you to stop waiting for everything to make sense before you move. If God has been speaking to your heart, even in a quiet way, that is your invitation. Your obedience is not the end, it is the beginning of what He wants to do next. Just like in Joshua 3, the moment your feet step into what He has asked, He begins to make a way for His grace and goodness to show up.

Today’s scripture reading: Joshua 3

1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 

2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 

3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 

4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”

5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” 

6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.”

So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 

8 You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.’ ”

9 So Joshua said to the children of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the Lord your God.” 

10 And Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites: 

11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan. 

12 Now therefore, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from every tribe. 

13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap.”

14 So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 

15 and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), 

16 that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 

17 Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.

Journal:

• What is one area where I know God is prompting me to take a step even though I cannot see the outcome?
• How can I stay more aware of His presence in my daily decisions?
• What is one way I can prepare my heart for what God wants to do next?

When courage shows up

And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. ~ Joshua 2:11

Have you ever considered that the very place you feel overlooked could actually be where God has positioned you for purpose? Today’s scripture reading introduces Rahab, a woman whose past and environment would have caused most people to count her out to have any value in the kingdom of heaven. Yet in a critical moment, she made a decision that changed everything for her and for the entire nation of Israel. She chose faith over fear and courage over comfort. Her story reminds us that God is not limited by where we’ve been, He is moved by our willingness to trust Him right where we are.

This chapter shows us that God often works in unexpected places through unlikely people, and that includes you and me. Here are three truths to think about from today’s passage.

1. God sees faith where others see flaws

Rahab was known for her past by the people around her, but God responded to the faith in her heart. She had heard about the power of God and chose to believe Him even before she saw Him move in her own life. Her confession in Joshua 2:11 reveals a deep conviction that God was Who He said He was.

In your daily life, this means you don’t have to wait until everything looks perfect to trust God. Maybe you feel disqualified because of past mistakes or current struggles. Choosing faith looks like believing God can still work through your life today. For example, you may feel unworthy to speak encouragement to someone at work, but when you step out and do it anyway, you are operating in faith, not perfection. God meets you in that step.

2. Obedience opens the door for protection and promise

Rahab didn’t just believe, she acted. She hid the spies and followed through with the instructions she was given. Her obedience became the open door for her safety and the salvation of her family.

Following God’s plan for your life may look simple, but it carries weight. It might be choosing to forgive when it feels easier to hold onto hurt, or taking a step God has been prompting you to take even when it feels uncertain. For example, if God has been nudging you to reach out to someone, encourage them, or make a change in your routine, following His leading positions you to experience His covering and guidance in a deeper way.

3. Your decision impacts more than just you

Rahab’s choice didn’t just affect her, it brought protection to her entire household. One act of faith created a ripple effect that extended beyond her own life.

You may not always see the full impact of your obedience, but it matters. Your choice to trust God can influence your family, your friends, and even future generations. For example, when you choose to prioritize time with God, your children or those around you begin to see what it looks like to seek Him first and His righteousness. Your consistency becomes a testimony that points others toward Him.

It’s no secret that I came out of a past of a shady reputation. There were many moments when I felt the tension of knowing what God was asking of me but wrestling with whether I could truly follow through because of the shame I carried. I convinced myself that there was always someone better for the mission. Someone with a cleaner background or a more “godly” life.

I remember having a conversation with the Holy Spirit, telling Him I wasn’t the best person for the assignment because of how messed up I had been. It was in that moment that I sensed Him gently remind me that obedience in the present matters more than mistakes in the past. The very things I had gone through, the brokenness, the missteps, the early years I wished I could rewrite had actually positioned me to reach people for such a time as this.

When I chose to move forward with courage, even in uncertainty, I watched God meet me in ways I never could have planned. What once felt like a risk of bringing attention to my past, has now became a doorway into His purpose for my life.

Today I want to encourage you to trust that God sees you right where you are and is inviting you into something greater through simple acts of faith, courage and obedience. Just like Rahab, your response matters. You are not disqualified by your past, and you are not forgotten in your present. God is working through your willingness to say yes.

Today’s scripture reading: Joshua 2

1 Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. 

2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.”

3 So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.”

4 Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 

5 And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.” 

6 (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) 

7 Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.

8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 

9 and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 

10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 

11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 

12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 

13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”

14 So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the Lord has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.”

15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. 

16 And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.”

17 So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, 

18 unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. 

19 So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 

20 And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.”

21 Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.

22 They departed and went to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them. 

23 So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. 

24 And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”

 Journal:

• What is one area where God is asking me to trust Him more right now
• Is there something I have been hesitant to obey that I need to take a step toward today
• How can my faith today influence the people around me in a positive way

The Key to Success

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ~ Joshua 1:8

What if success is not as complicated as we make it? What if the thing we are striving to figure out has already been clearly given to us? In this world full of noise, opinions, strategies, and endless advice, it is easy to feel overwhelmed trying to make the right decisions. We search for answers, we weigh our options, and we often second guess ourselves. But God made it simple. He did not hide the key to success. In fact He clearly revealed it to us in His Word.

In today’s scripture reading we find Joshua about to step into a massive responsibility. He was leading God’s people into the promise after Moses. If anyone needed clarity on how to succeed, it was him. God did not give him a complicated plan. He gave him plain and simple instruction. Stay in My Word, keep it in your mouth, think on it constantly, and do what it says.

Below are three points that show us that it is important to understand that success in God’s Kingdom starts on the inside before it is ever seen on the outside.

1. Keep God’s Word in your mouth

Joshua was told that God’s Word should not depart from his mouth. That means speaking it, confessing it, and keeping it present in your everyday life.

Be intentional about speaking God’s Word over your current circumstances, problems and concerns. What you say matters. It shapes your perspective and strengthens your faith.

If you are facing a stressful situation at work or in your home, instead of speaking frustration or defeat, begin to speak the truth and promises of God’s Word. Say, God is with me, He is giving me wisdom, and He is guiding my steps and thank Him for these promises that He has already given you. This shifts your focus from the tension of your problems to His presence and His peace.

2. Meditate on it day and night

Meditating on God’s Word means thinking about it, turning it over in your mind, and letting it become part of how you see everything.

You are always thinking about something, and often times your greatest concern is what takes ownership of your mind.  Develop a habit of asking the Holy Spirit each morning for a scripture promise to think on and carry it with you throughout the day. When the cares of life try to take over your thought, replace them with the scripture God gave you for the day. Think about it while you are driving, cooking, or going about your routine. Let it settle into your heart.

If you are dealing with fear or uncertainty, hold onto a promise from God’s Word and keep bringing it back to your mind. When anxious thoughts come, thank Him for His promise and continue to think about that instead of the issue. Over time, that truth becomes stronger than the fear.

3. Follow what it says

It is not just about knowing the Word, it is about doing it. Obedience is where transformation happens. When God shows you something through His Word, act on it. No matter how big or small it feels, take that step.

If you read about forgiveness and someone comes to mind, do not ignore it. Take action. Reach out, pray for them, or release that offense. That one act of obedience can bring freedom in ways you did not expect.

This truth became real in my life just over a decade ago. I was doing all the things I knew to do to get my life back in line with the plan of God, but I was still struggling with the weight of guilt and shame from my past. On the outside, it may have looked like I was moving forward, but internally I kept getting pulled back into old thoughts and old feelings that I could not seem to shake.

It was during that time that I heard a message on the very scripture we read today in Joshua 1. It was like a light came on inside of me. I suddenly realized that success was not about trying harder or doing more. It was about what I was allowing to stay in my heart and mind. I saw clearly that I could be successful in leaving behind the baggage of the years gone by when I put God’s Word in place of the thoughts that kept trying to haunt me.

So I made a decision. I wasn’t going to let those thoughts run unchecked anymore. I was going to answer them with the truth of God’s Word.

I turned to Isaiah 53:5, and I held onto it. It assured me that He was wounded to pay the debt for my transgressions and bruised to remove the penalty for my iniquities, and that by His stripes my life was healed from the past. I also stood on 1 John 1:9, which reminded me that when I confessed my sin to Him, He washed me clean from all unrighteousness. Completely clean. No leftovers. No reminders held against me. Guilt and shame could not stick to me anymore.

Those scriptures became more than something I read during a quiet time. They became a shield of protection and a lifeline to freedom I carried with me throughout my day. I thought about them, I thanked God for them, and I let them take root in my heart.

Now, when thoughts of guilt over my past sin or shame over choices I had made would try to come back, I did something different. I used those moments as a reminder. Instead of sitting in those thoughts, I turned them into an opportunity to thank my heavenly Father for rescuing me from the traps I had once been in. I told Him “Thank You that You already paid the price for my sin. Thank You that I do not have to carry what You have already taken from me. Thank You that I have been made righteous through the blood and sacrifice of my Savior, Jesus.”

At first, it took a lot of intentionality and I had to choose it every time. But as I stayed consistent, reading His Word, thinking on it, and speaking it, something began to shift inside of me.

Everything on the outside of my life didn’t change overnight, but my heart did. The heaviness lifted and I found peace where there had been confusion and confidence where there had been uncertainty. Those old thoughts started to lose their hold because they were no longer being fed.

As I continued to follow what He was showing me, one step at a time, I began to see things settle into place in ways I never could have planned on my own. What once felt like a constant internal struggle became a place of steady growth and freedom.

That is when I truly understood what it means to meditate on His Word day and night. It is not just reading it, it is living in it. When you do that, it has the power to change everything.

Today I want to encourage you to go back to what God has already promised you in His Word. Scripture is not just something to read, it is something to live. As you keep it in your mouth, think on it throughout your day, and follow what it says, you will begin to walk in the kind of success and power that only He can produce. It is steady, it is rooted, and it leads you exactly where you are meant to be.

Today’s scripture reading: Joshua 1

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 

2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 

3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 

4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 

5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 

6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 

7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 

11 “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’ ”

12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, 

13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.’ 

14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, 

15 until the Lord has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

16 So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 

17 Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 

18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.”

Journal:

• What is one scripture I can begin to speak over my life each day
• How can I make time to think on God’s Word throughout my daily routine
• Is there something God has already shown me that I need to act on
• What thoughts do I need to replace with truth from His Word
• What would it look like for me to trust His Word as my guide for success