Daily Devotional
"And the Lord said to Joshua, 'Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.' And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day."
Joshua 5:4-9
The “reproach of Egypt” wasn’t just about uncircumcision. It represented 40 years of wandering, 40 years of being seen as failures, vagabonds, and divine rejects. To the surrounding nations, Israel looked like a people whose God had led them into the desert to die.
But notice what God doesn’t just say He’s removing shame. He says He’s “rolling it away” and replacing it with honor. The Hebrew word “galal” means to roll away like a stone. This wasn’t just forgiveness; it was complete transformation of identity.
The old generation had the sign of the covenant but lacked the faith to take the land. This new generation had the faith but lacked the sign. God was uniting the outward symbol with the inward reality. Faith without obedience is incomplete, just as obedience without faith is worthless.
God specializes in removing what we cannot remove ourselves. That lingering shame from past failures, the reproach of wrong choices, the burden of family dysfunction – these are things only divine grace can roll away.
Today's Challenge
What "reproach" in your life needs to be rolled away? How has shame from past failures affected your ability to step into God's promises?
Prayer
Father, I confess that I sometimes live under the weight of past failures and shame. Thank You that You don't just forgive - You transform my identity. Roll away the reproach in my life that I cannot remove myself. Help me walk in the honor of being Your child, not the shame of my past. In Jesus' name, Amen.
