The Blessing of Blessing

I was reminded this morning of God's word to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20:17:  "You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you."  When we are in physical danger, realise we are powerless, and don't know what to do, our natural tendency is not to stand still.  Fear causes our minds to go in hundreds of directions, worries and cares plague us, and we forget the almighty God is with us.  In his distress King Jehoshaphat prayed to the LORD, and God responded with clarity and calm.  This most tumultuous time during the reign was to provide a great blessing.

King Jehoshaphat and the people rejoiced at the promise from God, though powerful enemies camped outside the city.  Their position was one of praise and thanksgiving, as 2 Chronicles 20:18-19 relates:  "And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. ¹⁹ Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high."  I wonder if the enemies of Israel could hear the voices and songs of praise rising from inside the walls of Jerusalem, from people who were outgunned and helpless?  They were not without hope because they trusted in God.

The next day God fought for His people according to His promise as wrought a miraculous victory.  The text says the people of Judah spent three whole days gathering the spoil from the slain because it was so abundant.  The point emphasised to me during my Bible reading this morning is found in 2 Chronicles 20:26:  "And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the LORD; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day."  The people went to the place where God fought for and saved His people, the valley where their enemies were slain, and where they spoiled those who came against them.  We might imagine the people called the place the Valley of Berachah because of the blessings God provided them, but that is not why:  the text states they called it the Valley of Berachah (blessing) because that is where they blessed the LORD.

Have you considered what a wondrous blessing it is to bless the LORD?  These were people who were only a day from death, yet God was with them and saved them with a mighty hand.  They were divinely enabled to stand where their enemies gathered against them and bless the LORD because He lives and spared their lives.  The destruction of enemies, wealth gained by spoil, and the prolonging of life were all temporary, but the blessing of the eternal God is forever.  What joy it brought to the hearts of God's people!  What fear came upon the neighbouring nations when they heard God fought for Israel!  What peace the people enjoyed in the land because God was with them.  David wrote in Psalm 34:1-2, "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad."

Everyone wants a blessing, right?  We all desire good things from God.  What do you know of the blessing of blessing God, of praise, worship, and bold proclamation of His greatness?  Many enemies will come against us, and even some from within the city walls.  But through faith in God as our eyes are fixed upon Him, the battlefield can become a place of blessing because God saves and gives eternal life to those who bless His holy name.  Let's praise God for the blessing of blessing:  because He lives, we will live to praise and rejoice in Him.