Does the name Valley of Blessing sound like a contradiction of terms? Upon reading its name it almost appears as an oxymoron. We think it is impossible to be in a valley and be blessed at the same time. Although valleys can be synonymous with difficulty, a closer look at them throughout scripture reveals that they are places God repurposes and transforms, using them to draw us into deeper relationship with Him.
There are so many different valleys mentioned in the Bible, but just to highlight a few to emphasize God's presence in the valley, consider the following:
The Valley of Eshkol, where the spies scouted out the Promised Land. (Numbers 13-14)
The Valley of Kishon, where Deborah and Jael gained victory over their enemy. (Judges 4-5)
The Valley of Elah, where David conquered Goliath. (1 Samuel 17)
The Valley of the Shadow of Death, where God walks with us, comforting His children. (Psalm 23)
The Valley of Weeping, became a refreshing spring. (Psalm 84)
The Valley of Dry Bones, where the prophet Ezekiel proclaimed the restoration of Israel. (Ezekiel 37)
The Valley of Trouble, became the gateway of hope. (Hosea 2:15)
The Valley of Decision, when God passes judgment over wickedness. (Joel 3)
These examples reveal not only that valleys are a part of life, but that they are vital to meeting the Lord and strengthening our faith. In Deuteronomy 11:11, God told the Israelites, "the land you will soon take over is a land of hills and valleys with plenty of rain - a land that the LORD your God cares for. He watches over it through each season of the year!" That truth is so tender and beautiful to my heart. God cares for the valley and His watchful eye remains on this lower landscape continually. Valleys are never hidden from the Lord.
Learning that a vast army was declaring war on King Jehoshaphat, he was terrified. All the people of Judah began to fast and pray, seeking God's guidance. Recognizing how powerless they were, they looked to the Lord for help. With the surrounding nations coming against them, the king cried out to the Lord as singers lifted voices in praise. "At the very moment they began to sing and give praise" the enemy armies turned on one another, attacking and killing each other, not a single one escaped. When Jehoshaphat and his army came upon the plunder there was such a large number of valuables that it took the men three days to gather it all.
We can't neglect to consider the power of praise that turned a valley into a blessing. It was as the people lifted their voices in thankfulness, declaring the Lord's faithfulness that the situation began to change. It is worship offered in faith that draws us to God's heart and His power. What we do in our valleys is vital. Instead of complaining, the people of Judah proclaimed the greatness of God. Our responses matter.
The God of the valleys allows situations to touch our lives, often at inconvenient times. We would never choose a valley and no one is immune to their arrival. Although we view valleys as negative, they are not meant to injure us, but to increase us. Valleys actually become places of breakthrough, victory, new beginnings, fulfillment, greater strength, rest and abundance.
When the valley before us seems unsurmountable, we need to ask the Lord to give us a new perspective. We may have named this land the Valley of Struggle or the Valley of Fear, but it became the Valley of Blessing. Battlefields can become Beulah Land, bountiful places filled with blessings, where instead of feeling done, we see all that God is doing, encountering Him in new ways. They are places of attitude adjustments, character development and hopeful anticipation. Are you in a valley that needs to be renamed today? God longs to transform it into a blessing.
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