1 Chronicles. 4:9-10-Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
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. (NKJV)
Did you notice who he went to for blessings?
He didn’t go to nobody else, He try to buddy up to someone who lots land, he marry old rich woman with one foot in the grave, he didn’t even go to Jarreds…He went to God!
He didn’t rely on own strength, or ability, talents, he just simply asked God!!
We sometimes go a long way around the barn to get something, when in fact all we have to do is ask God! (You have not because you ask not)
Proverbs 19:22-The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
Enlarge My Territory-Now I am not sure what all Jabez is asking from God, but I know what I think we should be asking from God for this New Year!
That God Would Broaden Our Horizons-That He would increase our knowledge of His Word and His ways!
That our experiences with Him would be deeper and more meaningful!
That we won’t be limited by our earthly vision!! (Sometimes all we see is the giant, the lions, the red sea…in other words we see problem but not the answer.)
That we would see things not as they are, but what they can be, or what they will be!
That all my past experiences (Whether caused by me or not, I‘ve gotten myself into some fine messes) that God will use to teach me and train me, so that I can past that knowledge on to others!
That God Would Enlarge My Influence!
That might Mean:
God bless me with a spouse, so I can be positive influence to her or him!
God bless me with children or grand children, so I can be a positive influence to them!
God bless me with that promotion, so I can be a positive influence in peoples lives!
God bless me with a raise, so that I can help more people and influence their lives!
God bless me with a new job, so that I can be positive influence my co-workers!
God bless me with new home, so I can be a positive influence in my neighborhood!
We should be asking God to give us more responsibility, more influence, greater opportunities to do something for Him.
What happens when you get what you ask for and your overwhelmed with all the responsibilities that come with it. (New car = New payments, New house = New payments, New promotion = New responsibilities)
That Your hand Would Be With Me-This part of the prayer helps us to hold on to what we have just asked for.
That You Would Keep Me From Evil, That I May Not Cause Pain-When we get ourselves in a mess or into trouble, there are always other people that get hurt in the process and Jabez realized that!
So God Granted Him What He Requested
Circumstances has to submit to the purpose and plan of God!
Circumstances has surrender to the purpose and plan of God!
Whether it’s a giant, a den full of lions, red sea, or a fortified city!
They have to come under the subjection of the purpose and plan of God!!
