Note: some of the illustrations in this series are not acknowledged - this is due to the loss of my notes, not out of a desire to deny the sources. Thank you!
The Prayer of Jabez #4 –
“Let Your Hand Be With Me…”
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
January 20, 2002
Introduction
We continue our look at the prayer of Jabez, as we seek to understand how God works through prayer, and how He works in the lives of people who pray to a God who is able to do all things.
Next week we will conclude this series, and then the following week I will have a message regarding the sanctity of human life. This week is Sanctity of human life week, but I don’t want to break the continuity of our time studying this prayer and the implications in our lives.
Also, I think you would agree with me that human life is sacred every week, amen? So we won’t be swimming too far upstream by waiting a week, okay?
Today we look at the third part of Jabez’s request, “Let Your hand be with me.”
I am excited about what this can mean for us, and I think you will be, too.
Please read along with me the passage we have been looking at these past weeks. It is printed in your sermon outline, and I would like us to read this aloud.
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
We began our series by taking a peek at the person of Jabez, noting that his name was one that could have tied him to a life of bitterness, because his name is the Hebrew word for pain. Yet He chose to rise above his name to become a man of noble character.
In looking at the prayer, we saw that the first part, where Jabez asks for God’s blessing, rather than being a selfish prayer, was actually a crying out to God to shower Jabez with everything God had for Him, realizing that without the blessings of God, he had no hope of accomplishing the task before him.
Last week we looked at the second part, “enlarge my territory,” and said that this was more than a request for more land, it was also a request for more responsibility and influence.
And I challenged you to consider what would happen if God were to expand our territory by using us to reach 10 percent of our area for Christ.
I brought out the plans for the church building, and you no doubt saw them as you entered the church today. I put it there to help trigger your thoughts and prayers that God can do big and mighty things through this church. We spent some time discussing the vision of your leadership, and how they have not given up on influencing people for Christ.
And today we will look at Jabez’s cry that God’s hand would be with him.
In looking at this part of the prayer, I want to cover a few aspects of God’s hand and how that should impact us. I want us to leave here today excited about asking God to be involved in our lives and our service for Him.
Jabez recognized that if God were to grant His requests regarding blessing and expansion of territory, he would need the hand of God to help him handle it all.
Jabez sought God’s hand in his life because he knew how desperately he needed it. Simply stated, He knew his limitations. He knew that his strength alone was insufficient for the journey of a life dedicated to all that is right and good. So he plead with God for His presence to be found in his life, for His divine strength, perfect guidance and protection
And I am convinced that not only is God beginning to bless our church, but that He is beginning to expand our territory as well, as people see us taking stands on hot issues, and as He allows us to interact with people outside out normal circles of influence.
And I want to give you something you can hang onto and take to the bank when exploring the possibilities of new blessings and new territories, and as we contemplate the work God has for us.
I am going to point to a lot of different Scripture today, so be ready to jot down some references as we go along, okay?
The first thing I want to cover today is…
I. God’s Hand is Mighty.
If you have been coming here for a while, it is no surprise to hear that I believe in a big and mighty God.
We are going to look at just three things He is mighty to do, but I want to specifically hammer home the point that there is nothing that is outside His awesome power.
After all, Scripture doesn’t exalt God all-wimpy! He’s not God halfway-decently strong!
Folks, how does Scripture describe God? As almighty, that’s how!!
In fact, that’s one of His names.
In Genesis 17:1, God tells Abraham that His name is God Almighty. In Exodus 6:3 He tells Moses that His name is God Almighty,
And there are hundreds of other instances where God is described as Almighty.
So now that we’ve established that God is almighty, let’s look at just some of the things He is almightily able to do, shall we?
The first is…
A. To Create
Now there’s a surprise, huh? It’s only the first thing Scripture tells us He did.
Genesis 1:1 says that in the beginning, He created the heavens and the earth.
Now in case you haven’t thought about it before, let me just tell you that creating this ol’ world of ours took some doing.
He had to create just the right balance of oxygen and nitrogen, climates, weather, land groupings, seasons, and everything else to work just right so it wouldn’t tear itself apart with the might of the seas and the winds and all that stuff so it would be just right for His best and favorite creation, man.
Unfortunately, because of Adam and Eve’s sin, we are living on an earth that is cursed, so we cannot enjoy the wonderful perfection that God created in the beginning.
But that does not negate the fact that Almighty God created the earth.
But there’s something else that He still creates. Any guesses as to what that might be?
2 Corinthians 5:17 says that God is in the business of creating new creatures in Christ.
That’s good news because that means that there’s hope not only for everyone of us in here as He molds and shapes us for use in His kingdom, but also for all those people out there who still need to hear the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ.
So while He was powerful to create the heavens, He is also powerful to make new creatures in Christ.
Next, He is mighty…
B. To Save
From what? Well, any number of things. He can save us from a life of abuse, whether it is self-inflicted by the use of drugs or at the hands of someone else.
He can save us from our stupid decisions. He can save us from any number of things.
But most importantly of all, He can save us from the penalty we deserve from our sins.
I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating here.
Hebrews 7:25 says this:
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
The King James Version uses the term “uttermost” instead of the word “completely,” but you get the idea.
God doesn’t just save us somewhat. He didn’t kinda save us. He doesn’t just save us a little bit. He doesn’t save us halfway. He saves us completely. And that is something to shout about, folks!
We don’t have to walk around wondering if the salvation He offers will get the job done.
The job’s already done, and it’s done completely! There’s nothing we can add, and there’s nothing He can add, because there’s nothing more to add.
Thank God and get excited about that, folks. You can sleep well knowing that your salvation is complete.
And thirdly, He is mighty…
C. To Protect
Listen to Psalm 91:14-16:
"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
We are going to focus more on this next week, so I’m not going to spend a lot of time here. But let me just that God is mighty. And He is mighty to protect us.
Sometimes my daughter Olivia wakes up in the middle of the night and needs to use the bathroom.
It’s my job to get up and take her there, so I get out of bed to find her at outside her room.
She takes my hand as we go to the bathroom, which is about 6 feet from her door.
Does she need my hand to show her the way? No, she wants to know I am near. Then any fear and apprehension she may have about the dark goes away. She probably doesn’t consciously even think about it.
It’s kind of the same thing with us. Sometimes we are troubled, fearful or just need some encouragement.
What a comfort to know that God is there with an open hand to take ours and lift us up when we are down, encourage us when we are weak, and calm us when we are fearful.
Aside from God’s hand being mighty,…
II. God’s Hand is Righteous.
What do you mean by that, Brian?
Well, just that His hand will deliver the righteous judgments upon this earth and its people.
Listen to Isaiah 41:10, which ties in beautifully with our last point.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I knew I wanted to use that passage, but wasn’t sure just where to use it, but I think it fits well here,
And my point in putting it here is that God’s hand is His instrument of justice, because, (and here’s the key for this section),
*He is holy and just.
And He will act in a holy and just manner to bring about His purposes. And His righteous right hand will encompass us as we seek to reach people for Him.
In seeking to shine the light of truth on the issue addressed in the letter going to the newspaper, we will be stepping into enemy territory. We will be wading into an issue that will draw attention to us, whether for good or bad.
But it has to be addressed, or we will be guilty of giving silent permission for this type of thing to go on unhindered.
But because the cause we support is a righteous one, we trust in God’s help, and even His protection.
Listen to Psalm 37:5-9
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
God’s righteous hand will triumph.
God’s hand is mighty, His hand is righteous, and thirdly,…
III. God’s Hand is Active.
There is a group of people around known as “deists,” who among other things, believe that God created the world, but rather than taking an active role in the affairs of men, sits passively by, just watching.
They liken God to someone who winds a clock and lets it run.
Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin were among those holding this position, and it is still around today.
They just can’t believe that God would act in the lives of individuals and societies. In fact, Jefferson brought out his own copy of the Bible, with all the miracles taken out, because reasonable men cannot believe in miracles. His Bible ends not with the resurrection, but with the crucifixion.
I can guarantee Mr. Jefferson knows better, now!
Cuz’ I’m here to tell you that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who has acted on behalf of His people from the beginning of human history is still active today.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
God has not changed. Nothing in Scripture indicates that He has decided to stop being involved in the lives of those who love Him.
I want to look at just three ways He is active, and the first one is…
A. To bring justice.
Our society is currently looking at the issue of justice like it probably never has. We are looking to our government to bring to justice those who have attacked our country and its citizens.
But I want to share a passage of Scripture that details something about the way God works against those who plot evil against His people.
The last 3 verses of Psalm 10 say this:
The LORD is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, 18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
God will bring justice, but it will be in His time, and in His manner.
We cannot afford to make the mistake that we can “help God get the job done.” He has instilled governments to be His instruments of justice on earth until He comes.
And when He comes, everything will be made right, and justice will be served.
Before we leave this area of justice, I want to share a quote I saw on a poster once. It said, “I looked at the world and cried to God for justice. Then I looked at myself and cried to God for mercy.”
Keep that in mind, okay?
Next, God is active…
B. To advance His kingdom.
To show this, we need only to look at Christ’s Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Um, is the job done yet? Not by a long shot.
Then I think it’s safe to say that Christ is still with us, helping us as we work to take His name to every one possible.
So what does that mean for us here in Aberdeen? Simply that He is working here in Aberdeen!
And as I said last week, I am convinced that the time will come when we are sending people from this congregation to lands far away to spread the gospel.
And until Christ comes, we have a pretty massive job to do. And we can act in confidence that God is still active to advance His kingdom here and around the world.
And He is active…
C. To change lives.
The Bible says that God is in the business of transforming people to be more like Him.
And just looking at what He’s got to work with, you gotta know that He better be active, amen?
I mean, on our own, we wouldn’t even think of pleasing God and trying to be godly.
It takes the moving of God, and He loves doing it. How do I know that?
First of all, because He keeps doing it! Today, God is moving in the hearts and lives of countless people around the globe.
My prayer is that some of those people are here today. Sometimes He gently woos them to a recognition of something that needs to be submitted to Him.
Sometimes He knocks up-side the head, because we won’t get it any other way.
The other reason I know God loves working in the lives of people is because it brings Him praise.
I love hearing the testimonies of guys like Jim Schaunaman, delivered by God from alcohol abuse.
I love hearing from guys like Doug and Lowell Harms, who are constantly asking God to have His way in their lives, so they can be molded to His image.
And God has transformed me. Believe me, you might not have liked me in high school, before I gave my life to Christ.
Some of you are still not sure you like me, but that’s okay. God’s not done with me yet.
He’s not done with you yet, either.
I said earlier that God’s in the business of creating new creatures in Christ. He loves doing that.
If you are here today, and you recognize the need for God to do some transforming in your life, then call on Him to do it.
He can transform you first of all from a person outside of His family to a child of God, forgiven of sin and able to enter heaven when you die.
He can transform you also from someone struggling with sinful habits to someone who lives a victorious life reflecting holiness and purity.
He can transform you from a weak person to a strong person, walking in the strength of the Lord.
Let me clue you in a little secret. If we want God to transform this small but growing church into a large body of believers, then people need to see God working in our lives to transform us more closely to His image.
And as they see Jesus working in the lives of ordinary people like you and me, they will be more likely to look more closely at the claims He makes about being the only way to God.
So invite God to work in you, and let other people see what He is doing. It will go a long way to helping people see the truth of Scripture.
Conclusion
God’s hand is mighty, it is righteous, and it is active.
Like Jabez, we are in desperate need for the hand of God to act on our behalf, and we need to invite Him to do it!
The vision of your leaders is something we need to catch and move on. The caution I want to offer here is…
Don’t let great vision die in the land of good intentions!
And with the hand of God working in us and through us to advance His kingdom, we absolutely can’t lose.
The building of God’s church around the world bears powerful witness to both the necessity and availability of the hand of God to accomplish the business of God.
I am going to pray, then we are going to sing The Battle Belongs to the Lord as our closing chorus.
My intention in singing this song is not to get us all fired up for battle, but rather to help us remember that the battle is God’s, and we can expect His mighty hand to act for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. Let’s pray.
