“The Valley of Blessing” by Brenda Bradford Ottinger

In today’s episode, you’ll hear a devotion written by Brenda Bradford Ottinger based on 2 Chronicles 20:26, which says, “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” (NLT).

We hope today’s devotion reminds you to keep your eyes on God in the battle you’re currently facing.

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What is Encouragement for Today Podcast?

Life can be so challenging sometimes — we each understand this all too well. It’s not only the big things that seem out of our control, but it's also the little things we face each day. We forget our keys. A friend cancels on us. Our bank card gets declined. We wake up anxious. Negative thoughts fill our mind. It doesn’t take much to leave us feeling hopeless, confused, exhausted or stressed. We wonder what God has to say about what we’re experiencing, but sometimes just getting through the next few hours is hard enough. That’s why Proverbs 31 Ministries created the Encouragement For Today Podcast — a collection of 50 devotions to help you start your day with a biblical perspective you can carry with you no matter what lies ahead.

We looked like a normal family. On weekends.

Every Friday night, my husband’s plane would land, and we’d cram all manner of family life into two insufficient days before Monday barged in with the next flight out. Week after week, month after eight long months.

Weekdays were a crash course in “single-mom” life for me as employment changes split our household across 800 miles.

As we searched for a job that would bring us back together full-time, my heart beat to the rhythm of a familiar refrain: Lord, “we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12b, NIV).
This prayer by King Jehoshaphat is one I return to often, for it speaks into the depth of a troubled-yet-trusting heart.

You see, the king prayed these words after hearing a large army was on its way to destroy Judah.
People throughout Judah came to Jerusalem seeking God’s help, and as Jehoshaphat prayed with them, the Spirit of the Lord spoke through a gentleman in the crowd, advising them that God would fight for them.

Upon hearing this, the king and all the people worshipped and praised the Lord.

Friend, at this point, the enemy was still on its way to attack them! Judah didn’t reserve their worship until the enemy was defeated, but praised God for a victory yet unseen.

The next morning, while en route to meet their rivals, Jehoshaphat appointed singers to walk ahead, praising and thanking God.

And, oh how the Lord honored their worship — the moment their praise began, He caused the enemies to turn on each other and start fighting themselves!

Since text messaging wasn’t yet a thing, and Judah’s army was still traveling to the battle, they weren’t aware of this news — until they came upon the place where God had already been, and they were shocked to find their enemies lifeless on the ground.

Always faithful to His Word, the Lord went ahead, a little farther from their sight or ability, and declared victory over the valley.

For three days, they collected plunder from God’s victory, and “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 …” (2 Chronicles 20:26a).

And guess what they did next? They marched back into Jerusalem the same way they left — singing and praising God.

Friend, have you noticed how praise and worship are the bookends of our victories?
As we worship God along life’s winding path, He moves in ways we can’t accomplish alone. And oh, the freedom of praising God for what we can’t yet see as He claims victory over life’s battles.
My husband and I didn’t know how the Lord would guide, but we offered our imperfect sacrifices of praise through exhaustion, keeping our eyes on God as He moved ahead. In time, we witnessed His movement as
He restored our household under one roof.

Our trust gave way to praise, and as the path before us cleared, we discovered His footprints embedded in the sacred soil of our very own Valley of Blessing.

Sweet friend, do you long to see God moving today in a battle that feels too big? May your heart rest in the reminder that our praise is not passive. When we center our worship on God rather than on the battle, His panoramic plan works in ways beyond our sight.

Dear Lord, teach me to keep my eyes on You. I praise You for every victory, seen and unseen, as day upon day I gather the plunder of Your goodness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.