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Good morning Christian friends around the world. Today we want to encourage you in your walk with our Lord by reminding us that God always hears the prayer of a humble and contrite heart. Ponder the message in I Chronicles, chapter 4 when Jabez’s prayer was the only one recognized. I Chronicles 4:9-10 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. JABEZ means Pain Question: Why did Jabez prayer get recognized? Let’s study what he prayed and see. First he prayed: Oh that You would bless me indeed At first it seems that he is being selfish or wanting something for himself but listen to what the meaning of bless is: To impart supernatural favor Do not diminish what God wants us to ask for. We could obtain the whole world and it would not touch what God’s blessings do for us. Second he prayed: Oh that You would enlarge my territory Enlarge my ministry, knowledge of You, understanding so I can touch impart/influence more people. Third he prayed: Oh that Your hand would be with me Now you have done it. Asked God to enlarge your ministry and suddenly things start going wrong…. seems to fall apart: Negative thoughts, family turn on you, etc…..but with great blessings comes greater trials…greater responsibilities; R U READY to armor up with our Father’s suit and stand and face our enemies, challenges? Fourth he prayed: Oh that You would keep me from evil On the surface it seems after asking for God’s hand to be with you, you may not understand why he asked God to keep him from evil. You may ask, ‘If God’s hand is guiding, why would he have to ask anything else?’ Answer: Jabez did not diminish satan’s power to deceive/seduce or tempt man, who is but a piece of clay. So he asked for ‘supernatural’ help/strength to discern the ploys of satan as he (we) walked into his (our) destiny(s); That ‘new’ place God is wanting to take us. Seeing Jabez’s prayer is the only one repeated in the scriptures…..you might ask DOES GOD HAVE FAVORITES? Jesus says, ‘whosoever’ calls on My name. (Joel 2:28-32) My opinion: God does not have favorites, but He favors those who ASK earnestly, desiring, hungering for Him. The Word says: Jabez was more ‘honorable’ than the others. MAY WE CRY OUT TO GOD AS JABEZ DID: Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory. That Your hand would be with me and that You would keep me from evil. And GOD would say to you…… he/she is ‘MORE HONORABLE!’ |
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