“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 You would keep me from evil, that I might not cause pain! So God granted him what he requested,” 1 Chronicles 4:10.
Jabez made a bold move, by asking God to not only enlarge his existing territory, but to bless him indeed—meaning to bless him above and beyond what he could conceive or imagine. Jabez had the faith to ask beyond his current situation. For he was born into sorrow and pain. His mother bore him with pain and named him Jabez. His name means ‘sorrow and pain.’ He was more honorable than his brothers because he did what was good in the sight of God. Even though he was born out of pain and would be known as the child of sorrow, he refused to be limited by the negative words of men over his life.
He struggled to find meaning and significance in life because his fellow man disrespected him and titled him a failure. Jabez found himself in such a situation that he would always cause pain to himself.
Jabez is from the tribe of Simeon which had no tribal territory of its own but dwelt within the territory of Judah. He had nothing, and the people saw him as nothing. He had nothing to call his own. Your family has nothing, you are nothing, and generations that will come after you will have nothing. So what are you going to do about that? Now, something must take place and something must be done.
So he craved a relationship with God because he was not a man of evil or sin. He was a man of faith who lived by the divine nature and the will of God. He was committed to a God of infinite love, grace, and mercy.
Jabez knew that he needed God, and he needed Him to grant his request. As you live your life to please God, He will grant you what you need to do His will. Jabez knew that God will provide.
So he spoke to God ‘over himself.’ He said: “I need a spiritual enlargement with God. I need deliverance from my enemies, and I need a spiritual light and knowledge—no more grief, no more pain, and no more sorrow. I need your love, grace, and mercy.
“So, I pray that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory. Let your hand be with me, and keep me from evil and from harm so that I will be free from pain. Grant me this request for your glory! Not for me, but to do your will.” God granted his request.
Today God will grant you this same request. Have faith and say to God, “All I want to do is your will.”
In the end, Jabez’s prayer had a significant impact on the history of Israel. Are you willing to pray for God to enlarge your borders so that you will have an impact on God’s people?
