From Ruinous Restraint to a Radiant Recovery (I Chronicles 4:9-10)
Now the reputation of Jabez rose above the respect of his refined
relatives: however his mother had little regard as she rather underrated
him, relegating him to the rank of wretchedness by referring to him as a
remorseful Jabez, her remarks reflected, rehearsed and reviewed her
reasoning that repented and repulsed her as she reluctantly received the
little rascal, and her roughly repaired residence was surely not a rich
resort as she was racked by regret while ruefully remembering the restless
rigors reaped from her range of resistance.
But in response Jabez rebounded by a resolve to raise his requests for
reprieve to the royal God who reigns over both race and region, replying,
“Oh, Redeemer, remedy and release, refresh and replenish! Raise,
rescale and reset the room and rim of my boundaries. Reach out and
relieve, remedy, reinforce and restore me as my hope, my refuge and rest!
Repress all who would rob, ruin, ravage or rub me out! May the resistance
be reversed, refuted, rescinded, repealed, replaced, revoked and
removed!” Then being recognized by the great Ruler who reigns
forever, God responded by rewarding him with all of his requests.
Perhaps you can relate, recognizing yourself in this revealing report
about Jabez. As you recollect, how would your record read? The rays in
your rearview mirror may reflect seemingly random repercussions, the
residue and rubble of revenge, rumors, reproach, rebuke, the rash and the
rude! Perhaps you have either resigned yourself or rumbled remorse through
reacting, recalling and reviewing the rout!
Respectfully, that rational is retrogressive and really wrong! If your
name is on the roll, be reminded of the rare requests of Jabez! His prayer
represents the reality and results from the Lord! Risk the ramifications!
Reconsider your role? Reckon your weakness and relinquish your pain!
Reject, refuse, reduce and renounce the past while reclaiming your future
in the Lord! Renew your mind! Rely on our resplendent King to right the
wrong! Revere His majesty! Remain in His presence! Recount your blessings!
Then rise to your full potential in the Lord Jesus Christ! May you relax
in the Rock who reconciles, relieves, remakes, retrieves and restores! And
finally be ready to reserve unto Him all of the glory, while rendering Him
praise and retaining His honor!
