“You have to stick with that movie, even when it gets rough.” My friend pulled The Shawshank Redemption from the DVD player as he spoke. “The rough stuff is what makes the ending so hopeful.”
In a similar way, the stoning of Achan and his family has always been a troubling story for me—part of the “rough stuff” of the Bible. During the destruction of Jericho, Achan stole treasures that belonged to God. After his sin was discovered, he and his family were taken to the Valley of Achor and stoned to death (Joshua 7:16-26).
The name Achor means “trouble.” Yet Hosea records for us that God didn’t want the story to end there. Years after Achan’s death, God announced that He would redeem the site of the man’s betrayal. “I will return her vineyards to [Israel] and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity” (Hosea 2:15).
God has the power to transform. A site of betrayal became a door to hope and future restoration. A place of judgment becomes a place of growing vineyards. Years later Jesus proclaimed to His followers, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Jesus is our hope—the way of growth and transformation.
Only God is capable of bringing hope out of betrayal. Only God can take the site of an execution and transform it to a place of grace. May He forgive us of our betrayals, and may we turn to Him today for transformation of the “rough stuff” in our lives.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 8:6-22
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and consider the transformation God brings to those who believe in Him.
Next:
How has the rough stuff of your life kept you from hoping in God? What will you do to begin submitting anew to God’s transforming ways?
Gary Shultz on March 22, 2017 at 5:42 am
Hi Andy: Nice take on that event, I never recognized the link. We see “rough stuff” with Ananias and Sapphira, they did wrong, but measured against some of the stunts I have done don’t seem much worse. Popular singer Danny Gokey’s wife was taken from him and it appeared no evil was being done. We have some reference when disobedience was part of the equation, but “rough stuff” with no apparent reason for discipline? I can certainly not speak for God, but God does have His “perfect” reason for what He does. God chose quick and abrupt judgement at times, if that formula were to be applied to everyone at all times; there would be no hope. Though undeserved, God gives us that “Gateway of Hope” I’ll splash the statement from Jim Elliot back into the post today. “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him”. We do need that grace and hope, we do need God’s sovereign hand in our life. Thanks Andy
andylrogers on March 23, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Thanks, Gary. A lot of this is a mystery. Yet still, only God can take the site of an execution and turn it into a gateway for hope. 🙂
gagirllive on March 22, 2017 at 7:31 am
Enjoying this running theme lately on ODJ, Andy. Today’s image is a perfect illustration of hope and renewal. The voice of God in Hosea is one of the most tender in all of of scripture to me. It should be no surprise that we hear that same tenderness from the Word made flesh to His disciples in John 15. In both instances, God applies the comfort of hope to the miseries of man. Yes, Christ is our hope—our Gateway to the other side of the “rough stuff” of life. But as you’ve written so beautifully here, this hope rests in His power to redeem and make new. I’m so thankful that our hope in Him is not only for the eternal future glory that awaits us but also for the present glory of His power to transform our miseries into something good and useful. As in The Shawshank Redemption (one of the best movies ever, by the way, according to my husband 🙂 ), the end result of the narrative of all our troubles is worth getting through the “rough stuff”. That’s what I’m believing as I consider my own Valley of Trouble. My hope—my expected end—is bound up in His power to redeem these miserable ashes into something beautiful. One day I will see the big picture and know that it was worth it all. But for now, I will enjoy the comfort of Hope as He works out the details of His redemptive narrative in my life. Appreciate this encouragement from you today, Andy. (And thank you so much for the prayers during my crisis.) Grace and peace upon your day and all my fellow travelers. ♡
andylrogers on March 23, 2017 at 4:27 pm
Thanks so much for this warm note, gagirllive. Hope in God is something I try to cling to in the “rough stuff.” As you’ve said, he has a redemptive narrative in our lives, and for that I’m truly grateful.
sandy229 on March 22, 2017 at 10:50 am
The Valley of Trouble was the scene of Achan’s sin (Joshua 7:26). God redeems situations, bringing present hope in the place of previous trouble. God gave me hope when I was ready to give up on my brother because of the accusations he made about Terry and me after his wife died, and I had told him that I could no longer be a part of his life if he was going to disrespect us the way he did. I ask my sisters in Christ and others to pray for this situation because I didn’t see how I was ever going to be able to get past this and I knew we had to go to the service for her which is Friday. Something happened when everyone prayed for this situation, and I was given a new hope like I never thought possible. My brother said he was sorry and wanted us to forgive him, I did forgive him and we are talking to each other again, and I am just hoping and praying that Terry will also forgive him, but it’s a miracle that things turned out the way they did because my brother asked for my help with the service and wants me to be a part of it, even though his wife and I were not exactly best friends. God took something ugly and made it beautiful just like He always does, and now I have hope when before I had none. Just like the song, “Something beautiful, Something good, all my transgressions, He understood, all I had to offer was loneliness and pride and He made something beautiful out of my life. In this case, He made Something beautiful out of this hopeless situation.
Thank you Andy for this perfect timing devotion!!
gagirllive on March 22, 2017 at 11:51 am
Wonderful testimony, Sandy. So happy for the reconciliation between you and your brother. Beauty from ashes. Thank you for sharing this with us today. My condolences to you all in this loss.
sandy229 on March 22, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Thank you GAgirl 🙂
Tom Felten on March 22, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Andy, I was talking with some friends about this theme the other day. We can proceed into the hurts and messes of life only because of God’s grace. And when we recognize what Jesus has done for us, we’re able to more readily pour that grace out on others—even those who have betrayed or hurt us.
sandy229 on March 22, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Amen!
andylrogers on March 23, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Absolutely.
hsnpoor on March 22, 2017 at 8:40 pm
Wonderful testimony, Sandy! I’m so glad y’all were able to reconcile! To God be the Glory!
minkjh on March 22, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Andy, thanks for sharing the ‘rough stuff’ with us today. It’s passages such as these that really challenge our understanding of how God chooses to display his sovereignty. What an opportunity for us to contrast the demise of Achan in light of the rescue of Rahab earlier in the book. This seems to fly in the face of I John 1:9, for despite Achan’s confession he still perished. Keep in mind that God is never ever unjust. He extended mercy to Rahab while Achan received justice. Much like that which befell Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot. We kick and scream and lament the unfairness but neglect to comprehend fully the character of a just and holy God who, if He so ordains, will transform those He chooses.
hsnpoor on March 22, 2017 at 8:39 pm
Amen, minkjh; God said he will have mercy and compassion on whom He will have mercy and compassion. Whether we like it or not or agree or not, that is God’s prerogative and not ours. The “Next” question took me in another direction. When I look back and remember all of the “rough stuff” God has already brought me through, I recognize, realize and appreciate the reality that God, and God alone, is my rock, my hope and my redeemer. I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me, truly. Right, GG? I’m still praying for you….
gagirllive on March 23, 2017 at 9:50 am
Thanks, and amen, Kim! I feel like I’m always catching up on and responding to your comments late. I keep forgetting that you Cali people stay up a lot later than I do, and when I begin my day you’re just rolling over. 🙂 Have a blessed one, dear sister.