God's Glory Church

If evil comes upon us… we will cry to You from our oppression, and You will hear and save. — 2 Chronicles 20:9
French artist Henri Matisse believed that the last works of his life best expressed his essence. During that period, he experimented with a new style, creating large color paintings, often using colored paper instead of paint. He decorated the walls of his room with these vivid images, which was important for him – because he was diagnosed with cancer and was often confined to bed.

A serious illness, job loss, great misfortune – all these are examples of “walking through the valley of darkness”, in which it seems that only terrible darkness reigns everywhere. The Jewish people found themselves in such a valley when they heard that enemy armies were approaching (2 Chron. 20:2-3). Their king prayed: “If evil comes upon us… we will cry to You from our distress, and You will hear and save” (2 Chron. 20:9). And the Lord answered: “Tomorrow go out before them, and the Lord will be with you!” (2 Chron. 20:17).

When the Jewish army reached the battlefield, it turned out that the enemy armies had already destroyed each other. For three days, God’s people collected valuable things, clothes and weapons left by the enemies. And before returning home, they glorified God and called that place “the valley of Berach”, that is, “the valley of blessing.”

Let’s remember that God walks beside us in the most difficult moments of our lives.

Dear God, help me not to be afraid when I face various difficulties. Help me to believe that Your grace and love are always with me.
God is the Master of turning burdens into blessings.
By Jennifer Benson Schuldt