God’s Blessings in Disguise
2 Chronicles 20:24-30

Very often we think that having a blessed week means that things went well with us, no one got sick in the family; bills were paid on time.  No conflict with anyone in the family and so forth.  We tend to think of blessing only when things are ok with us.  Some think that if you experience trials or hardship in life, then God is not blessing you.
What if I told you that at times it is through those trials that you get to experience the biggest blessings?
“We pray for blessings. We pray for peace.  Comfort for family, protection while we sleep.  We pray for healing, for prosperity. We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.  All the while, You hear each spoken need. Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things. ‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops. What if Your healing comes through tears.  What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near. What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise.  Laura Story.
What is the trials of this life are God’s mercies in disguise! What if his blessing you is past the trial or conflict you are experiencing right now.
When you go through the Scriptures you would read about God promising blessings to his people; however, such blessings would require people to do something.
For example, for Abraham to be blessed with many descendants.  He needed to obey God and leave for the place God told him about.  His blessing requires trust and obedience.
God promised to give the land of Canaan to his people; but they needed to go take possession by force, fighting against very powerful nations.  Israel’s blessings was past the conflict with the Jebusites, Canaanites, etc.
Last week we talked about Jehoshaphat king of Judah; three nations came against him and he didn’t know what to do.  He inquired of the LORD and God told him not to be afraid or discouraged that he would fight for him.  God told him to march against these nations and he and his fighting men went out obeying the voice of God. 2 Chr.20:16-20
When the men of Judah came to the place they saw God’s deliverance.  Their enemies were dead.  God provided deliverance for his people just as he said he would.  But God did more than that.  God rewarded his people.  2 Chr.20:24-30

Jehoshaphat and his men didn’t have to fight the battle, they collected the plunder. (v.25)  They reaped the benefits.
     – Great amount of goods, clothing and articles of value (precious things)
     – It took them three days to gather so much plunder (spoil)

Judah’s blessing was waiting in the valley, but they had to go get it.  It was past the conflict with the Ammonites, Moabites and Meunites.  They trusted God and went to where God directed them to go and there he blessed them with all kinds of goods.

On the fourth day Jehoshaphat and his men assembled in the Valley of Beracah (valley of blessing).  They praised the LORD there.
Jehoshaphat praised God when the enemies where approaching; here He and the people of Judah praised God because of his provisions.  They knew who was responsible for their victory and the collection of provision.  They praised God from whom all blessings come.
They returned home with joy for God had made them rejoice over their enemies. (v.27)
Jehoshaphat’s biggest blessing was past the conflict with the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites.  Jehoshaphat showed trust in the LORD and he told them people “Believe in the LORD and you will be upheld, believe his prophets and you will succeed.” (v.20)
God’s blessing for you may be past the difficulties you are experiencing and in order for you to experience his blessing you must keep on trusting him in the midst of the trials.  You must keep your eyes on him regardless of what is going on in your life.  That issue you have or struggle you may be experiencing is an opportunity to God to bless you.  But you must keep believing in him.  Paul said and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, those who have been called according to his purposes. Rom.8:28

God can even use your enemies to bless you.  He did it for Judah and Jehoshaphat
David understood God’s blessings in Ps.23:5 you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  God can have your enemies serve you a meal and buying you clothes.
God’s blessing may not be free from trials, but it will be waiting at the end of those trials if you keep on trusting his word.  Whatever trials or difficulties you are going through right now keep your eyes on Jesus; He already sees the spoil waiting for you if you don’t lose heart.  Jehoshaphat went to war and God took him to a yard sale where the owners were all dead.