Valley of blessing
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. So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side. 2 Chronicles 20:26-30
Several nations plotted to invade Judah. Jehoshaphat felt the lack of ability to fend off the enemy. They do not have enough soldiers to fight the battle. The only recourse was to come to God. He humbled himself before God and asked the Israelites to do the same. He assembled the people and summoned them to pray. “‘Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!’” (2 Chronicles 20:5-6). Jehoshaphat believed that God alone could provide victory for His people. God replied through a prophet providing them assurance; “This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v. 15). We cannot live a victorious Christian life unless we depend on God. He is the one who can guide us and through the Holy Spirit living in us, He will empower us. The battle is not ours, it belongs to the Lord. When the Israelites experienced the victory, “the people praised and thanked the Lord.” They even designated a place where they could gather so they could bless the Lord. We, like the people in the Valley of Blessing, have so much to bless and thank God for. We also have seen the salvation that God provided for us and through Christ’s victory on the cross we know that God will lead us to overcome and be victorious. God is worth to be praised and therefore “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me” (Psalm 103:1-2).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com