When Trouble Comes Knocking
Joshua 7 (Page 155)

1.     Joshua (vv.6-9)

• Had the promises. Deut. 31:1-8; Jos. 1:6-9
• Questioned God’s guidance. Num. 14:2-4; 20:3-5

2.     The LORD (vv.10-15)

• Constantly faithful. Lev. 26;Deut. 32:4, 30
• Unwaveringly holy. Isa. 6:3; Heb. 10:31; 12:14, 29; Rev. 4:8

3.     Achan (vv.16-25)

• The “Troubler” of Israel. Jos. 22:20; 1 Chron. 2:7 
• The Source of the Trouble: the unseen desires of the heart. Ps. 139:23-24; Prov. 15:6; Matt. 23:27-28; Mk. 7:20-23; Jas. 1:13-15; Rev. 2:23

4.     Valley of Achor (v.26)

• Achor = "Trouble". A place that would always be a reminder of God’s wrath toward sin.

Hidden sin replaces God’s blessing with trouble. 

However, God, in His mercy, has turned the Valley of Trouble into a Door of Hope! Isa. 65:10; Hos. 2:15; Rom. 5:15-19; 6:23; 1 Jn.1:9; 4:9-10

Summary

The unseen sin that had its roots in Achan’s heart brought great trouble on the people of Israel. No one could see the greed in his heart or the stolen items buried under his tent, but it brought God’s wrath on the people. It cost the nation and, ultimately, it cost Achan and his family the greatest price: their lives. Achan, the Troubler, had to be punished to remove God’s wrath on Israel.

All sin begins in your heart and much of it is unseen by others around you. You can try to make the “tent” of your life look clean and in order on the outside, but deep down your hidden sin brings trouble into your life.

Like, Achan, we all deserve the trouble of God’s wrath because of our sin. However, God, who is rich in mercy, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to enter into the trouble for us. By taking the punishment we deserved for our sin, what once was a Valley of Trouble for us is now the Door of Hope to eternal life. The only response required is to admit your guilt and turn from your rebellion toward love and trust in Jesus Christ—our Door of Hope.

Live It Out

How does your perspective about your thoughts and attitudes change, knowing that God sees all that is in your heart?

In what ways do you try to make others think that your “tent” is in order on the outside, when you have sin buried inside?

What sin(s) have you been hiding deep down that have been causing you trouble? Will you repent (turn away) from your sin today and confess them to God? 

Today, God is waiting, with arms open wide, to welcome you through the door of hope He made available in Jesus Christ. What is holding you back from escaping the trouble caused by your sin and entering into His hope of eternal life?