Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested (1 Chronicles 4:10).
This is the prayer of a man about whom we know very little. All we know about Jabez is found in 1 Chronicles 4:9, namely, that he was more honorable than his brothers and that he was born under sorrowful circumstances and his prayer was important enough to be recorded in God’s word for our benefit. That prayer consists of four petitions all of which are appropriate for you and I to ask of our God today:
*Oh that you would bless me indeed
*Enlarge my border
*Your hand be with me
*Keep me from harm that it may not pain me
We should make these requests because we are living in a most perilous and troublesome time and we need the blessings of God if we are going to be able to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world (Eph. 5:15-16, Titus 2:11-12). We should be seeking God’s blessing on our efforts to lead others to glorify him (Matt. 5:16), to help those in need (James 1:27, 2:14-16), as well as to be a source of help and encouragement to those who are burdened (Gal. 6:1-2, 10, 1 Cor. 15:57).
We need the help of God as we seek each day to have a greater influence on all who see and know, leading them to love and obey him. We should be praying that he will grant to us knowledge, wisdom, strength and courage that will enable us to do more for him. Then rise up from prayer and do what we can to enable him to bless us in our efforts (2 Tim. 2:15, 1 Pet.2:1-3, James 1:22-25). Certainly, we look to God as our defender (Psalms 27:1). We are weak, frail, fragile imperfect human beings and as such we are vulnerable to the fiery darts of Satan. We must place our lives into his hands knowing that in his hands we will find peace and safety (John14:27, Psalms 4:8). Colossians 3:15 begins with a powerful statement, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” As I once read, “when peace rules in our lives, all is well.”
It is awesome to know that we can go before the throne of grace, pour out our heart to him with whom we have to do, seeking mercy and help in time of need. (Heb. 4:13-16). I, for one, firmly believe that when we pray fervently with a pure heart to our God, he can and will turn our weaknesses into strengths that will amaze not only ourselves but all who see and know us. May we ever remember that, “greater is he that is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). My friends, pray, pray, pray and when you pray, mean it!
The record of Jabez concludes with these words, “And God granted him what he requested.” When we lay our petitions before God with a pure heart, he will grant to us whatever blessing is appropriate.
Charles Hicks