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.
He wants us the same way.
He wants to sift or to separate us. To sift is the separate so that the grain is separate it. The enemy was to shake and beat you. He wants to do anything he can to take us down.
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
1) I prayed for you 2) you will fail 3) you will return
2 Corinthians 2:11 NLT “so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.”
That is why it is so important for us to understand how he works and his devices but also understand the power in which God gives us to overcome. It brings new light to the passage:
1 John 4:4 KJV “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us
Conclusion
How to overcome the enemy?
1) Take on the “whole armor of God” as in Ephesians 6:11
Ephesians 6:11-18 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
2) Recognize the works of the enemy
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
3) Flee from the devil James 4:7 “resist the devil and he will flee from you”, 1 Thessalonians 5:22 “avoid the appearance of evil”
4) Pray for God’s protection in us “Lead us not into temptation” Matthew 6:13
1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
“You don’t have to be afraid of the enemy, but you can have a healthy respect for the works of the enemy.”
2 Timothy 4:17-18 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (18) And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Jabez preempted the work of the enemy by daily praying for God’s protection and walking under the anointing or influence of the Holy Spirit
Prayer
