FROM SORROWFUL TO BOUNTIFUL!

FROM SORROWFUL TO BOUNTIFUL!

1 Chron 4:9-10

9 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.

         Dr. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a little book which he simply called The Prayer of Jabez. It became quite a sensation. It was based upon these two verses and this one Old Testament character who would be lost in obscurity were it not for his prayer. There are several aspects that I want to point out this morning.

         The man’s name, Jabez, means “to grieve or sorrowful.” It is not known why his mother named him Jabez but he is the only one with this name. In First Chronicles 2:5 the name appears but it seems to refer to a place and not a person. Perhaps Jabez’ mother had a painful delivery or perhaps he was born at a time of great sorrow for which his name is a reminder. We just don’t know.

         The man’s prayer is not remarkable except for its simplicity. He asks to be blessed. The Hebrew word barak means to kneel. He asks for a larger coast or more property which, to a farmer, would mean prosperity. He also asks for God’s presence; “that thine hand might be with me.” He asks for protection and for purity. To be kept from evil means both protection from evildoers and purity from doing evil himself. He wanted to be spared from grief.

         And God granted him that which he requested! Perhaps you need “a Jabez moment” today. Perhaps you need an enlarged coast or God’s protection and purity. Most of us would be quite satisfied with knowing that “the hand of the Lord” was with us. Well, if God would answer the prayer of a man named hurtful do you think He might answer your prayer?

Matt 6:25-30

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Dear Lord, today I ask that you would listen carefully to the prayers of your people and answer them. Surprise us with “Jabez moments.” AMEN