April 13

From: April 13, 2025

‘And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.”‘ (Joshua 7:25 ESV).

This verse captures the tragic climax of the story of Achan, who took some of the devoted things from Jericho—items God had declared off-limits. Though Achan sinned in secret, the result was felt across the entire nation. Israel suffered a shocking defeat at Ai, soldiers died, and fear spread throughout the camp. When the sin was finally uncovered, it wasn’t treated as a private matter; the entire community took part in the judgment. Joshua’s question—“Why did you bring trouble on us?”—underscores the reality that personal sin is never truly private. It affects others: families, churches, and even nations.

This passage challenges the modern mindset that says, “My choices are mine alone.” Achan likely thought no one would know, no one would suffer. But sin is never isolated. It spreads like a contagion, corrupting relationships, disturbing peace, and bringing trouble where there was once blessing. In a church or community, one person’s dishonesty, impurity, or rebellion can grieve the Spirit and affect the spiritual health of the whole body.

We must take sin seriously, not only for our own sake but also for the sake of those around us. And thank God that through Jesus, the judgment for our sin has been laid on Him, so that we may be restored and walk in the light. But even so, repentance and accountability are essential for personal spiritual health and for the integrity and unity of our community.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess that we sometimes underestimate the seriousness of sin. Help us to remember that our choices don’t just affect us. They affect those around us and those we love. Guard our hearts from secret sin. Give us grace to live in the light, to walk in repentance, and to pursue holiness not only for our sakes but for the good of the whole body of Christ. Thank You that Jesus bore the judgment for our sin, and through Him, we are made clean. In His name, amen.

From: April 12, 2023

“Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction. Every word of every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them” (Joshua 8:34-35 NLT).

Moses gave Israel the Word that the Lord had given to him. And Joshua, after Moses had died, gave the people the Word that Moses had passed to him. Joshua did not leave out a single word, but passed it on whole to all of Israel, even to the “children” and “foreigners” living with them. It was the Word of God that shaped their language and their beliefs. It shaped them personally and gave them a unity greater than any nation before them.

We are called to make the Scriptures known today. As the apostle Paul instructed Timothy, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture.” (1 Tim. 4:13). The Scripture is like the anvil and the Spirit is like the hammer that reshapes our thinking. We need both.

Today, we have access to multiple English translations and versions of the Bible. We have them leather bound and digitally searchable. We can read it from a book or from our smart phones. We can even listen to it as we drive. Yet our generation is one of the most biblically illiterate in America’s history. Why? Because we have forsaken our responsibility to read and teach the Bible to everyone.

The key to passing the faith on to the next generation is that we are faithful to give them the Word that was given to us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. It is precious to us. Forgive us for not immersing ourselves in it more fully and giving it out more broadly. We see the result of our neglect. Help us to get the Word out to everyone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

From: April 13, 2021

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCRIPTURE READING

From: April 13, 2017