Bless the Lord
On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today. Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies. They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the Lord. When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. 2 Chronicles 20:26-29
The word “blessing” from the text was used sixty-eight times in the Old Testament. It was first used when God announced His blessing to Abraham after he had shown his faithfulness to God when he followed God. “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others” (Genesis 12:2). When God blesses us with His bountiful blessings, our response should be to offer our worship and bless the Lord. This is what David did when he contemplated on who God is and what He has done. “Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly bless the Lord” (Psalm 26:12). From the text, King Jehoshaphat led the people of Judah to offer their praise to God and bless His holy name. The King acknowledged that they do not have sufficient number of soldiers to confront the Moabites and Ammonites. It is only through the power of God that they could succeed. He recognized that the battle is the Lord’s and not his to fight. God deserved your worship. There is so much that He has done that should cause you to stop and offer your worship so you could bless Him. “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelations 5:12). No matter what your situation and your circumstances, you can still offer your praise. You worship God because of who He is. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Because of your relationship with Him as your Lord and Savior, God placed you as well in the Valley of Blessing.
Blessings.
