Joshua 7

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