A Promise of Blessing

Some battles are not our battle, but this does not completely let us off the hook. We still may be required to take up our positions and stand firm. There is a mythology in Christianity today that the chosen of God will not have to fight battles in this life. My experience is that this is far from true. In the 133 miracles that I have studied in the Bible, all required some action to receive the promise.

On the Map

I trace this mythology and misunderstanding to a place in the land of Israel called The Valley of Blessing. Yes, it is a real place. On the map, it is actually called the valley of Beracah. It is on the main road from Hebron to Jerusalem. It is significant because of a king of Judah named Jehoshaphat.

The kings of Judah and the kings of Israel all fall into one of two categories: those who did right in the sight of God and those who did evil. It is a sad commentary that even with all of the blessings God had given his people most of the kings did not act in a way that pleased God. Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah, however, who did what was right in the sight of God. In 2 Chronicles we find, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David…The Lord established the kingdom under his control…so that he had great wealth and honor…His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord…” (2 Chronicles 17:3-6).

Favor

This favor from God did not mean that there were no challenges during Jehoshaphat’s reign. God allows challenges in the lives of his people. No one is excluded. At one point in the story, a vast army from three neighboring nations, Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir, came against Judah. Not surprisingly, Jehoshaphat was overwhelmed by fear and gathered the people together to ask God for deliverance. He prayed, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 

God’s reply that came is a promise that Christians still rely upon today, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” The battle is not yours, but God’s. This promise is the source of our misunderstanding. It is true that the prophet said, “You will not have to fight this battle…” But, he did not stop there. He went on to say, “. . . take up your positions; stand firm.” If you do this, then, you will “. . . see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” They could not sit around and wait for a miracle. They were commanded to “Go.” My experience is that, while God is with me, I still have to go and face my challenges. This is what the prophet said to Jehoshaphat, “Go out and face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

Crazy! They sang!

Indeed, Jehoshaphat did just as he was directed. Early on the next morning, they left for the place of the battle. Regardless of his fearfulness, he assembled the people and went out to the battle. As they went, Jehoshaphat’s confidence increased to such a degree that he did something very unusual. He appointed people to sing to the Lord and praise God for the splendor of his holiness. Crazy! They sang! 

“Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever.”

2 Chronicles 20:21

On this day, Jehoshaphat and the people began to sing and praise God and God answered their prayers by stirring up the enemy to kill each other. “The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir…After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another” (2 Chronicles 20:23). Just as God had promised, when Jehoshaphat and his army entered the valley, the enemy had completely annihilated each other. Judah’s army took three days to sort through the dead bodies and collect the valuables, including gold, silver, and precious jewels. On the fourth day, Jehoshaphat assembled the people in the valley of Berakah, which means blessing, where they praised the Lord. To this day, the valley is called “The Valley of Blessing.”

We Must Stand

While the battle was God’s, Jehoshaphat still had to take up his position and stand. Too often, Christians use this scripture as an excuse to do nothing. “It is not my battle, it’s God’s.” But, God does not take us out of the battle; He fights on our side! In all of the challenges that I have faced so far in my life, God has been Jehovah Saboth, the Lord our protector and Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our banner. However, that has never meant that there was no role for me to play. 

During a difficult time at work, Debbie Backy, a woman of strong faith, reminded me of Isaiah 54:17 and gave me this promise on which to focus my attention. I printed this scripture and posted it beside my computer as a daily reminder.

“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

Isaiah 54:17

Isaiah wrote this promise to the people of Israel as a reminder of the future glory of Zion. Through Debbie, I was reminded that this promise is also for God’s people today. Truly, no weapon or instrument of persecution will be successful. The sense of Isaiah’s words is that attacks against the servants of God will not prevail. God’s people shall have final and ultimate prosperity. These attacks may appear for a time to prosper, but there will not be final and result in complete success. Of course, it is difficult for us to believe that victory is on the way when we are faced with overwhelming odds…or a vast army. 

A Heritage of Blessing

This is not a blanket promise for everyone. Isaiah specifically says, this promise is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. If you have committed your life to serving God, then you can rest easy in His promised protection. The Lord also says that this is a promise for those whose righteousness or goodness is from Me – from the Lord Himself – and not from us. When we understand that our righteousness is really from God, we can take comfort in letting the Lord protect his righteousness.

God will vindicate us. Isaiah’s promise is an assurance that the inheritance which awaits those who serve God is truth and victory. This is a promise of protection in times of trouble; God is our banner and protector in times of adversity. God will see us through and place us in The Valley of Blessing.

© 2019 Chuck Locklear All rights reserved