1 Chronicles 4:9-10 “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." 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.”
Some famous poker player somewhere says that in the game of cards, there are no bad hands, just bad poker players. A good player can take the cards he’s dealt and make them in to a winning hand.
In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, we meet a guy who seems to have been dealt a bad hand. In a long list of genealogy, it is interesting that the chronicler takes time to tell a little bit about Jabez and his prayer. His name sounds similar to the Hebrew word for pain - his mother says that she bore Him in pain. Because of his sorrowful beginning, some might say that he was dealt a bad hand. But Jabez is not going to let that get in the way of victory. In this short prayer, he bets it all on God’s covenant promises. Commentators agree that Jabez was most likely preparing for battle to rid the land of the Canaanites. This is not some name it and claim it prosperity prayer. Jabez is simply claiming the covenant promises of God. He is confidently praying according to the will of God. And we see once again that God is faithful to grant that request.
The Bible is filled with God’s promises to his faithful and obedient children. Have you ever prayed within the context of his will to claim a promise? What were the results? Share your thoughts or feel free to comment on any portion of the passage that we read.
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What I like about the prayer of Jabez is his discontentment with the status quo in his life. He is desiring to see the hand of the Lord working through him and also desiring for the Lord to work in his character to keep him from evil. *the NKJV says evil not harm.
ReplyDeleteYeah prayers aren't formulas to repeat over and over. What would my friends think if I talked in repetition to them? The beauty of prayer is is just us having a heart to heart talk with the Lord. No special wording needed.