ROOTED - Friday, February 20, 2026

Joshua 7:10, 11
10 The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings.

Reflection: From Blessings to Curses
Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro
The Children of Israel marched into battle thinking, “this battle will be easy. Ai is a small city. This will be a walk in the park!” Ai was small and insignificant, so a very small number of people were chosen to overtake the city because, compared to Jericho, Ai would be a breeze. Until it wasn’t! The band of warriors chosen to overtake this city were defeated handily and returned to camp in disgrace. How could God bring them through the high of victory against a large, fortified city as Jericho, and leave the people vulnerable against Ai? This was Joshua’s question to God, frustrated that they had suffered such a humiliating defeat. Why had God left them?
“Get up,” God says. God’s answer must have shocked Joshua… “I did not leave you. The People of Israel have left me. They took forbidden things from Jericho.” From this came an investigation that led to Achan and his family. They were the perpetrators. They sinned, and brought calamity upon God’s people. Eventually, Achan and his family are stoned to death, but the damage was done. 
I get this feeling occasionally that after spiritual successes, often come the hard crashes of spiritual failures. I am inclined today to warn all of us that, though the Lord is blessing our church today, a spectacular fall could come. I pray against that, as you should! But this story reminds us that one person’s sin can impact all of God’s people. With humility of spirit, we should take care to make certain that we, corporately and individually, are honoring God. Because God is blessing us now, does not mean that we should not be vigilant to honor God in all we do. May the Lord bless Timberlake Church!

Prayer
Lord, help us to be faithful in honoring you, lest we see blessings turn to curses. Be with our leaders at Timberlake, and those under their care. Help us to be holy.