SUBJECT: THE PRAYER OF JABEZ!
SCRIPTURE: 1CHRONICLES 4:9-10
Introduction
Most of this books first few chapters are often overlooked. Because much of it is considered boring and it is full of difficult names to pronounce. Most of these first few chapters are only listing the descendants of the various tribes of Israel. In our particular text it is just a continuance of the first three chapters, but notice that the author of this takes time to mention about Jabez and his story and prayer. Nowhere else does he stop to mention about someone’s story while giving the descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel. That let’s me know that Jabez and his story were of some importance to the author, and because Jabez was of importance to the author I have made Jabez of importance to myself.
Now the Bible does not tell us a great deal about Jabez or his story, in fact Jabez is only consumed in these two verses we are dealing with today. The author does not give a complete background of Jabez, but he just mentions I would guess the important things about Jabez. It does not tell if Jabez was rich or poor, young or old. It just simply says that Jabez had a prayer. All it tells us what the author thinks is or was important, but I have researched and found some other things about Jabez that may be of interest to you.
Jabez was not just a man with a prayer, but in fact Jabez did have an important role in those days. At the time of this text Jabez was in the process of expelling the Canaanites from the land the Lord had promised Israel.
1.) Now in this text we don’t find much about Jabez, but we know a few things that are definite about Jabez. They are that Jabez was more honorable than his brethren were, Jabez was born into negative circumstances, and Jabez had a prayer.
2.) His mother named him Jabez and we find out that his name in the Hebrew language means, “sorrow one,” because she said “ I bare him in sorrow, and pain.” So from birth Jabez was placed in some messed up circumstances. By naming her child Jabez she was already trying to predict Jabez future, but I stopped by to tell you that it didn’t work. Because see Jabez kept on stepping, he said I know I am not supposed to be nothing, I know my name says that my future is supposed to be full of sorrow, but I refuse to live in sorrow. He said, I know that my circumstances don’t permit me to make it, but I’m going to make it, I’m going to make it whether I’m supposed to make it or not. Because I know a man that’s able. Church Jabez kept on stepping, because he didn’t let what he knew stop him from serving God. Well what do you mean? I mean you know you are broke, but just because he is real I’m able to come out of that shell, or that mold. What I’m saying is don’t let your circumstances predict your praise, don’t let your condition dictate the life that you live. Because my daddy didn’t have nothing, that don’t mean I got to be nothing. Because my mama had a house of babies, not me. Because my daddy was on drugs, not me, because of my skin color I’m not supposed to be nothing, not me. Because the Bible tells me that I can do all things through Christ Jesus which strengthens me. So look at your circumstances and tell your storm to leave you alone, because I’m going to make it. I’m going to get out of that shell; I’m going to break that family curse. Don’t let what you know stop you from being somebody.
3.) In this text we can also find out that God answers prayers. The Bible says that Jabez knew what people said about him, his own mother had condemned him to be nothing, but Jabez went to somebody else. He called on a higher power, he called on God. The Bible says he prayed to God, and I can imagine that Jabez prayed, and I can imagine Jabez prayed hard, and Jabez cried, but Jabez trusted in God. And I’m here to tell you that Jabez prayed, and God heard his prayer and changed his situation. Church I stopped by to tell you that when the world says no, God says yes. When people tell you that you can’t, God says you can, and then he equips you with the tools to complete his job. You see God answers prayers. I’m also here to tell you, when you pray don’t worry, and when you worry don’t pray.
