We can look for ways God is transforming our valleys of trouble into places of unexpected goodness, especially in giving us deeper intimacy with Him. The greater blessing in trial is deeper fellowship with Jesus, knowing His peace that surpasses understanding and His love that surpasses knowledge.
Few chapters in Scripture have impacted me as much as 2 Chronicles 20. God has met me, often through tears, in this passage—a passage that continues to show me how to respond in crisis. I’ve learned to throw myself on the Lord in trial, to trust him when I can’t see results, and to worship in the midst of seemingly impossible situations. It also contains one of my go-to verses, words I whisper throughout the day when I feel helpless and unsure, in need of wisdom and help.
This passage first came alive to me after my husband left our family and I didn’t know where to turn. A multitude of issues were at my doorstep, and I had no idea how I would survive the onslaught. And years later, with mounting health issues, I repeatedly turned to this passage when I felt desperate. Even now, each time I reread it, I remember God’s faithfulness in trials, which anchors me again on solid rock.
Embattled and Blessed
The account in 2 Chronicles 20 takes place around 850 BC, after the kingdom of Israel is divided. Jehoshaphat is king of Judah, a faithful king who fears the Lord. Without warning, the king is told that a massive coalition of his enemies is marching toward him. They are already close, leaving little time to prepare.
When Jehoshaphat hears the chilling news, he is afraid and immediately seeks the Lord. Then he assembles a group to pray and fast. He begins his public prayer by proclaiming God’s power and reminding the people of how God had delivered their ancestors. Next, Jehoshaphat reminds God of his promises to Israel—that if disaster should come upon them and they cry out to God in their affliction, he would hear and save them. Jehoshaphat ends his prayer by humbly admitting their utter helplessness, looking to God alone for deliverance.
While they are praying, the Spirit of God falls upon a Levite in the crowd, who says, “Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s’” (2 Chronicles 20:15). Then he tells them exactly where the enemy would be and that the Lord would be with them. After the people hear the Lord’s reassurance, they worship.
Early the next morning, after exhorting the people to believe in the Lord, Jehoshaphat appoints a group to sing praises to God, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever” (verse 21). These people, who have no weapon but praise, march ahead of the army to the battle.
As they are singing, their enemies annihilate each other. When they see what happened, Jehoshaphat and all the people take their enemies’ valuables and name that place the “Valley of Beracah”—the Valley of Blessing.
What begins with great fear from an unexpected threat ends with greater joy from an unexpected blessing. Drawing from this story, here are five ways we can seek blessing in our own battles when we feel like a multitude of troubles is pressing in.
1. Seek God first when you are afraid.
In crisis, our minds are flooded with fear, and we must deliberately disrupt our anxious thoughts. Jehoshaphat’s first reaction was fear, after which he immediately sought the Lord. We don’t need to be afraid of the battles that are in front of us, even those that seem insurmountable, because God will be with us and fight for us.
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