Prayer Of Jabez - Keep Me From Evil Series

Title: Prayer of Jabez – Keep Me from Evil

Theme:

Text: 1 Chronicles 4:9 – 10

Note Resource used from Tom Blevins on Keep Me From Evil sermon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC6vHLU377Y

Introduction

For the last few weeks we have been looking at this prayer here in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. It is a small but impactful prayer that Jabez prayed. We are reminded how important this prayer was because God granted him what he requested. So what did he request?

1) To be blessed indeed – overflow of abundance

2) To enlarge my territory or influence (land cattle, farming)

Both of these deal with a desire to be bigger and have more influence in the people around him. To be able to be a blessing and touch people around them.

“It was all for God to allow him to expand more territories to do more for the kingdom of God”

“It was not about personal prosperity but provisions for God’s purpose in his life”

It is our calling to be part of God’s kingdom and mission filed to expand our territory.

So, we must understand that we have stewardship over the blessings that God gives us.

3) Your hand be with me – God anoint me and guide me by your Spirit.

So, he had all the natural abilities in his life but he was asking for the supernatural abilities to fulfill the callings in his life.

This brings me to this fourth and last request.

4) Keep Me from evil

Jabez was doing a great work for the kingdom. He was expanding and he was working. He was impacting the people around him. God was blessing him as a he was blessing others. He was a conduit for the kingdom and God calls us and our church to be.

This makes sense why he prayed this last prayer. Why?

“Because when you are taking territory for God you are taking territory from the enemy”. When you are being and influence for God you are causing the influence of the enemy to lessen.

Satan opposes those who are fulfilling God’s calling.

“When God is using you in a powerful way you will become a target for the enemy”

The enemy will target those who are working for the kingdom. Actually, it is usually a sign that we are working as we see or sense the attacks of the enemy. He will attack you. Let me just give you are few ways he will attack us and then conclude with some good news,

1) Doubt – Adam and Eve

Genesis 2: Did God say? This is not true, God is afraid that you will have more wisdom and knowledge. “Your eyes will be open” – you are missing something.

God made a provision. How? He provided a lamb Genesis 3:21. The first sacrifice and God clothed them. In spite of all of this, when we fall into temptation of doubt God gives us his way out.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all righteous ness.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

2) Temptation – Job

“Theatre view of something that is going on in heaven.” Job 1 – Satan is roaming throughout the earth looking for someone to tempt. God says have you seen my servant Job, now I do not understand all of this, but I do know God had enough confidence in to overcome them. God knew his limitations.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Let’s not miss this part in here. The devil in conversation with God reveals that he would attack Job, but God has build a “hedge of protection”. NLT “wall of protection”.

God builds protection in our life. When I was growing up, they used to say, “You cannot cross the blood line”.

This is more than just a thing that a prayer of faith that we do.

3) Sifting (shaking) – Peter

(Luke 22:31) And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.

Every day the enemy gives up with the desire to attack you

“Satan saw Simon before he ever preached a sermon. And he wanted to attack him. Why? Because he saw his potential. He saw what he could be. He saw that he like Jabez and was going to expand the kingdom. He saw that he had a revelation of who Jesus Christ was.” The Christ the son of the living God.