Valley of Blessings

The king perused the valley far below and saw a multitude of white canvas tents. From his perch on the mountainside, it looked like daisies littering the green valley. He estimated the troops below and took stock of his army. Too many against too few. What should he do? How would he face this formidable force of three kings joined together to defeat him? Immediately, he knew the answer.

The wise young king gathered together all the people of his kingdom and told them the battle was more than they could handle alone. He commanded them to begin fighting this battle before they went down into the valley by fasting and praying. And so, they waged war on their knees. They disciplined themselves to abstain from the pleasure of eating until they knew this battle was won.

They prayed and they sought the favor of the Lord; they brought their pleas before the the ruler over all kingdoms and the One who holds power and might in His hand. They implored Him for victory over this evil because they had confidence that He heard their cries. The king reminded God of His promises to His people - that He had given them this land as an inheritance. The people admitted that they were powerless and did not know what to do but their eyes were on the Lord. Their trust was in Him.

Are you facing multitudes of enemies right now? I know I am. Daily I see the enemies in the valley below - pride, insecurity, selfishness, fear, depression, they are all lurking there waiting to attack. King Jehoshaphat's prayer has reminded me this morning that the battle begins in prayer and ends with putting my eyes on the Lord.

"You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you."

When the Israelites heard this answer from the Lord, they worshiped and praised Him. Their work was done. They prayed and they praised God believing His word that He had already fought the battle. It's a simple formula really: Praying and trusting in faith and praising in confidence.

And the result? The result was amazing. God sent an ambush to attack Israel's enemies and not one man was left. Jehoshaphat led his men into the valley to find a pile of carnage - the enemy had already been defeated. So, all the army had to do was collect the plunder. For three days - THREE days - they collected all the loot from a battle they never actually fought. Now that's what I call abundant blessings.

The blessings were poured out upon the Israelites heads because when they faced an impossible battle, they turned to God for help. They trusted Him wholeheartedly and they were rewarded with a valley full of blessings.

They called it the Valley of Beracah (the Valley of Blessings). God wants to send us a valley full of blessings, but first we must fight the battle in prayer and praise expectantly.