Jabez – Part 1

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10

In the book of First Chronicles the Bible tells us about a man named Jabez. The first nine chapters consist of genealogies, listing more than six hundred names. And right there in the middle of all those names, God singles out one man for special recognition, and his name is Jabez. There are only two verses in the entire Bible about this man, yet he’s given honorable mention above the six hundred other people mentioned in the chapter. Why did God single him out? What did Jabez do that caused his name to be preserved for over four thousand years? What made him above average? For the next few days, let’s see what we can learn about him. ‘Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers’ (v. 9). So, what set him apart? He dared to ask and believe God for great things: ‘Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.’ God wants you to ask Him for great things! He told Jeremiah, ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know’ (Jeremiah 33:3). Paul tells us that God ‘is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20). You can’t out-ask or out-dream God, so start asking Him for what you want – and believe He will give it to you, provided it is in line with His will and His knowing what is best for you because He loves you!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing my prayers and answering them in a way only You can for what is best for me. Thy will be done. In Jesus’ Name, Amen