1 Chronicles 4:10. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
What a wonderful petition! Jabez was of the line of David in early Israel. Verse 9 claims that he was more honourable than his brethren, and his mother called him Jabez because she was unhappy when she had him. Someone today has written a book titled the Prayer of Jabez or something like that, extolling the merits of Jabez’s petition. I have not read the book myself, so I can’t say whether it’s good or bad, but I certainly hope that the author does not tell his readers to simply recite the words of Jabez and expect miracles shortly thereafter. I think that would be a great injustice and I doubt it will work anyway. I’m sure the fact that Jabez was honourable had a lot to do with God granting his request. He does not grant requests of such magnitude willy-nilly. Friends, it’s a good prayer, containing all the right elements; blessings, prosperity, protection and guidance. It’s also short and to the point. But if we’re looking to receive all the good stuff our God has to offer, we’ve got to at least attempt to have a right heart and follow His guidance. He knows full well that occasionally we’ll slip or stray, but we can’t ask Him to be with us and keep us from evil, then knowingly go and do something contrary to what He proposed. Let us always remember that the believer’s life is a two way street: If we want the Most High to look down on us with love and tender care, we’ve got to abide by His rules. It’s that simple. The only thing we get for nothing is Salvation, through J.C’s death, and even then, we’ve got to believe. It brings to mind two old sayings; one hand washes the other, and it takes two to tango. As always, Much LOVE…with constant praying and most honourable walking.
What a wonderful petition! Jabez was of the line of David in early Israel. Verse 9 claims that he was more honourable than his brethren, and his mother called him Jabez because she was unhappy when she had him. Someone today has written a book titled the Prayer of Jabez or something like that, extolling the merits of Jabez’s petition. I have not read the book myself, so I can’t say whether it’s good or bad, but I certainly hope that the author does not tell his readers to simply recite the words of Jabez and expect miracles shortly thereafter. I think that would be a great injustice and I doubt it will work anyway. I’m sure the fact that Jabez was honourable had a lot to do with God granting his request. He does not grant requests of such magnitude willy-nilly. Friends, it’s a good prayer, containing all the right elements; blessings, prosperity, protection and guidance. It’s also short and to the point. But if we’re looking to receive all the good stuff our God has to offer, we’ve got to at least attempt to have a right heart and follow His guidance. He knows full well that occasionally we’ll slip or stray, but we can’t ask Him to be with us and keep us from evil, then knowingly go and do something contrary to what He proposed. Let us always remember that the believer’s life is a two way street: If we want the Most High to look down on us with love and tender care, we’ve got to abide by His rules. It’s that simple. The only thing we get for nothing is Salvation, through J.C’s death, and even then, we’ve got to believe. It brings to mind two old sayings; one hand washes the other, and it takes two to tango. As always, Much LOVE…with constant praying and most honourable walking.
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