Introduction

Welcome, dear friends. Gather around, pull up a chair, and let's share this time together as we open our hearts to the Word of God. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. It is a warm and wonderful privilege to stand on the common ground of faith, to lean into the comforting truths of Scripture, and to find solace and strength for the journey ahead.

We find ourselves today, not in the New Testament, but in the often-overlooked pages of 1 Chronicles, specifically chapter 4, verse 10. It reads:

"And 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."

The life of Jabez, a seemingly insignificant figure in the grand tapestry of biblical history, holds a remarkable lesson for us all. It's a lesson about facing life's curveballs, fostering enduring faith, and a future that's bright despite difficulties.

Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher of the 19th century, once said, "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." Isn't that a beautiful sentiment? Even in the midst of life's tumultuous waves, we can find solace, find comfort, find strength in the Rock of Ages, our Lord and Savior.

So, how do we learn to "kiss the wave" as Spurgeon so eloquently put it? How do we face life's curveballs with courage and faith? How do we cultivate a faith that endures, a faith that is not easily shaken by the winds of adversity? And how do we envision a future that's bright, despite the difficulties that may cloud our present circumstances?

Let's take these questions to the Lord in prayer.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we reflect on the life of Jabez and the lessons it holds for us, we ask for Your wisdom and understanding. Help us to face life's curveballs with courage and faith. Nurture in us an enduring faith, one that stands firm even in the face of adversity. And help us to see a future that's bright, despite the difficulties we may be facing. We ask these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Facing Life's Curveballs

Life has a way of throwing us unexpected challenges, doesn't it? Just when we think we've got everything figured out, something comes out of left field and knocks us off our feet. It's like we're up to bat in a baseball game, and the pitcher throws a curveball. We didn't see it coming, and it's not what we were prepared for. But here's the thing: those curveballs, those unexpected challenges, they're not necessarily bad things. In fact, they can be opportunities for growth, for learning, for becoming stronger and more resilient. They can be the catalysts that propel us forward, that push us to become the people we were meant to be.

Jabez: His life wasn't easy. He faced his fair share of curveballs. But he didn't let those challenges defeat him. Instead, he turned to God. He prayed for blessings, for enlarged territory, for God's hand to be with him, for protection from evil. And God granted his request. This is a powerful example for us. When life throws us curveballs, we can respond like Jabez did. We can turn to God in prayer. We can ask for His blessings, for His guidance, for His protection. And we can trust that He will hear us and answer us, just as He did for Jabez.

But what does this look like in practice? How do we respond to life's curveballs in a way that honors God and aligns with His will for our lives?

First: We need to recognize that curveballs are a part of life. They're not something to be feared or avoided, but rather something to be faced with courage and faith. We can't control when or how they come, but we can control how we respond to them. And the best response is to turn to God in prayer, just like Jabez did.

Second: We need to understand that God is bigger than any curveball life can throw at us. He is the Creator of the universe, the King of kings, the Lord of lords. He holds the world in His hands, and He holds us in His hands too. There is nothing too big or too difficult for Him. So when life throws us a curveball, we can trust that God is bigger than that challenge, and that He is able to help us overcome it.

Third: We need to remember that God is with us, even in the midst of life's curveballs. He promises in His Word to never leave us or forsake us. He is our ever-present help in times of trouble. So when we face challenges, we can take comfort in the fact that we are not alone. God is with us, and He is for us.

Fourth: We need to keep our eyes on the future. Life's curveballs can be disorienting. They can make us lose sight of where we're going, of what we're working towards. But if we keep our eyes on God, if we keep our focus on the future He has promised us, we can navigate those curveballs with grace and confidence.

Let's pray.

Fostering Enduring Faith

As we reflect on the life of Jabez, we see a man who was not defined by his circumstances but by his faith ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO