The Valley of Beracah, is the valley of blessing, that God has in your pathway, each time you’ve gone through a difficult trial.
Perhaps you’re not sure if such a reward has your name on it, perhaps it’s for a chosen few. Or maybe you’ve wondered what you need to do in order to access such a blessing?
By the end of this post, your faith for this two-fold blessing will increase as you understand more about God’s plan for you in this area.
When I was around 6 years old, I split my chin open. Whilst I don’t remember this much, I do remember mum taking me to the toyshop afterwards. She wanted to make up for all the her child had suffered.
In fact, every time I had to get the wound redressed by the nurse in the weeks that followed, we came home via the toyshop.
My mum, like most parents, wanted to bless me generously to make up for the pain the injury had caused.
Our Father in Heaven wants to make up for all our trouble here on earth. He promises that there will be a benefit and that we’ll be better off as a result of the trouble.
Isn’t it interesting that I genuinely have little memory of the accident but plenty of memories about the toyshop!
We call this a double portion, or The Spoils of War; the profits or prizes awarded upon winning a battle.
VALLEY OF BERACAH
My favourite Bible character is Joseph, sold into slavery as a boy who lost it all; his home, family and freedom.
Fast forward to later on in the story, we see an amazing leader, 2nd in command to Pharaoh. God had restored double and these were his spoils of war.
Likewise, it looked as though King Jehosephat and his men were about to lose in battle, but in obedience to God, they sang praises to his name, ensuring their victory against the enemy.
After the battle, they went into the battlefield and gathered the spoils of war. “There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it”
They called this battlefield, the Valley of Beracah (blessing). 2 Chr 20:25-26
When God restores he restores plus blessings. If you take your family heirloom to be mended, it will have lost value, it won’t be as good.
If you’ve ever watched the Antiques Roadshow you will have seen experts appraising antiques and any item that has been restored will have lost it’s worth.
God’s restoration is the opposite of this. He doesn’t heal us, he makes us whole, a greater blessing and this wholeness are like spoils of war.
Maybe you’ve been unwell for a long time so have lost many years. Perhaps the illness you’re dealing with has cost you your career, your finances or your family?
Maybe you’ve lost your self-esteem or dignity. You may even have lost your hope and your dreams.
1. BREAK THE CEILING
The name Jabez means pain but he believed that God was good so knew how to receive his double portion. He believed God would restore double any damage his name had caused him.
He prayed ‘Lord will you bless me indeed….’ and God honoured his prayer. 1 Chr 4:9-10
Have you lost your joy? God wants to give you double the amount of joy in return. Did you lose your peace? Allow God to restore to you double the amount of peace.
This is God’s heart; to bless you more than you can ask, think or imagine. Eph 3:20 This is more than a double blessing, this is a blessing x1000. How crazy does that sound?
Genesis 50:20 tells us that what the enemy meant for harm, God turns around for good. Our challenge is to not allow our circumstances to contain us.
This will stop us from believing God for increase.
Is there a ceiling on what you’re believing God for today?
I know for some, there are belief systems that hinder us. For example, you may have a have recurring thought that says ‘I’ve been ill too long, it would’ve happened by now’
2. RECOGNISE GOD’S LEGAL OBLIGATION
In the Old Testament, anyone who had been robbed, could expect under the law of restitution, to gain back 120% of whatever was stolen. (Ex 22:1)
At the cross, Jesus became our trespass offering.
This means that anything the enemy has taken away from us, like our health, God is now legally obliged to restore back to us so we become gainers.
Because of this, you can be confident that your future is awesome. If you’ve lost years due to illness, God wants you to receive 120% more back in quality or even quantity.
The enemy likes to keep us in the natural where our situations are more real to us than God’s promises. It’s easy for us to settle, not believing God for breakthrough.
But when we understand the legalities, it gives us confidence in God’s Word.
3. BELIEVE YOU’RE A PRISONER OF HOPE
Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
Zech 9:12
You may feel right now trapped in a prison of hopelessness and ill-health, but God says you’re actually a prisoner of hope.
He sees your future, he sees all the good things he has in store. He wants you to receive your double portion and enter the valley of Beracah.
The next time you’re dwelling on all the things you’ve lost, remember this truth. You will be better off as a result of what you went through, just like Job.
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
Pro 4:18
We can expect our world to get brighter and brighter, not because of our goodness but because of what Jesus has done for us.
This means we can get excited that your valley of Beracah is around the corner. Always expect greater and walk in that belief; our cooperation starts with enlarging our thinking.
He’s a great big God which means we have permission to honour his greatness for believing something outrageous.
Can you imagine all the people who are coping with loss or suffering embracing this belief of double restoration?
The joy it would produce in their hearts that would encourage them along the way. Your challenge is to believe that God has personal spoils of war in store.
What do you think your spoils might be?
Have a good day.
Lorna x
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THE HEALING TOUCH OF JESUS. WHY HUGS CAN HEAL YOU
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