Jabez called on the God of Israel

Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 3-5

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, 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.

Do you remember several years back when this prayer was all the buzz in the Christian book circles? It was almost funny to see people make such a big deal about this. Many people were actually repeating this prayer daily expecting that to be some kind of formula. Jesus tells us:

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

It's too bad that people try and make a relationship with God into a formula. I am sure that grieves the Holy Spirit. However, here is what is so great about this portion of Scripture. It tells us of a man from Judah who was born into a sorrowful situation. We do not know exactly what the circumstances of his birth were, but the Bible tells us they were sorrowful. The Bible also tells us that Jabez was more honorable than his brethren.

What made him more honorable? Well, it had to have been his faith in God and his dependance upon God. How do we know that? Because the Word tells us that he 'called upon the God of Israel'. Jabez was a man of prayer. As a man of prayer, he was also a man of faith. The Bible tells us:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God is pleased when we trust him. Instead of Jabez being a self-made man, he was a man who depended upon God in prayer. He asked God for what he needed. And the Bible tells us: and God granted him that which he requested.

God hears our prayers! Are you a person of prayer? Do you ask God for the things you need? Do you spend time daily talking with God? He invites us to come and seek him. Let's go to him and pray!

In Christ,
Rody