The Place of a New Beginning

One of the prophetic words that God used me to speak in our congregation during an anniversary celebration was, “He has brought us to Gilgal.” There is something really significant about Gilgal. This is the place where the sons of Israel crossed over the Jordan, and God told Joshua to circumcise them. When they had finished circumcising, God told Joshua that He had rolled away the reproach of Egypt from them. Therefore, the name of the place was called Gilgal.

As we begin the new year of 2026, let Gilgal be our portion for this year. When we ended last year, I wrote about "A Call to come back". If you are one of those who have read it and have been mulling over it, let me encourage you by saying this: God is bringing you over to Gilgal.

What is the significance of Gilgal? Gilgal means rolling away. He is rolling away their reproach. How does God do that?

Reproach doesn’t only mean guilt, but also:

1. Public shame

2. Damaged identity

3. An accusation that questions God’s faithfulness

4. A label that says, “You don’t really belong”

Reproach sticks to a person when identity and calling appear broken or unfinished.

And God removes this from them by:

1. Speaking into their life

2. Obedience preceding the removal

3. God declaring a new standing

4. Finally, accepting His word over their history

After this, they celebrate the Passover and eat from the produce of the land, which also triggers the cessation of manna.

I remember how it was for me when I first heard this word. It opened my eyes, because I had always carried guilt from my past mistakes—times when I spoke against God, the things I said about my family and friends, the ways I abused myself, and the disgrace I felt about who I was. There are a few things I remember doing that day. I opened my heart to hear the word and accept it. I responded to the word by speaking it over my life again. I obeyed and accepted that it was the true word of God and allowed it to internalize within me. I understood that God was cleansing me and calling me to leave the past behind and move forward. When I did all of this, the spoken word renewed my mind and spirit and gave me a new zeal to follow God. How beautiful it was to hear, through my own mouth, that God had forgiven me, removed my reproach, and was calling me to move to the next level.

Gilgal, therefore, is not the end of the journey, but the right beginning. It is the place where God deals with identity before destiny, where shame is removed before battles are fought, and where dependence on God’s provision gives way to living from the fruit of the land God promised. Israel still had Jericho ahead, but they faced it as a restored people, no longer carrying the reproach of the past (Book of Joshua 5).

As we step into this new season, may God bring each of us to our own Gilgal. May He roll away what has weighed us down, silence the accusations that have lingered, and restore us to our covenant identity. And having done that, may we rise with faith and obedience to move forward into all that He has prepared for us—no longer sustained by manna alone, but strengthened to walk in the fullness of His promise.