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.

I Chronicles 4:9-10

  ——

Jabez is an interesting character in 1 Chronicles smack dab in the middle of
eight chapters of geneologies.  It’s not exactly the place one goes looking
for inspiration or encouragement. But if you mine through the geneologies
as I have been doing of late, there are quite a few hidden gems. 
Jabez has had a little more press in recent years due
to Bruce Wilkinson’s book, entitled The Prayer of Jabez.

It’s a fascinating story.

Jabez’s name means “He will cause pain.”

Jabez was an honorable guy — who despite his honorable
behavior was cursed by his own mother — just because
she had a bad birthing experience.

And so, rather than accept his mother’s curse on his life —
he cries out to the Lord. Specifically, the God of Israel.

Not the God of his country — but the personal God of
a man named Israel (formerly Jacob).

Perhaps Jabez could relate to Jacob.

Jacob’s name meant “heel catcher” or “deceiver”.
Jacob’s own behavior was kind of a curse.

Maybe the same God who turned around Jacob’s,
could work a miracle in Jabez’s life.

Perhaps he thought back to Jacob’s heir Joseph —
Who also was cursed and mistreated by his brothers,
but experienced the blessing of God.

This in it’s very essence, is faith.

We not only call on God, but we call on THE God
who has kept His promises, performed miracles
in our lives and the lives of others and who has
assured us victory through the blood of Christ
over sin, death and the devil.

We call on the same God — who the patriarchs,
prophets, apostles and great cloud of witnesses
before us called upon — and that should make
a difference in our prayers.

One of the devil’s oldest tricks is to make us feel alone,
isolated.

If you feel alone — in temptation or trial,
your prayers will be filled with doubt and distress.

But, if like Jabez — we realize we are not alone, our situation
is not unique — and that God has a long track record of answering
prayers just like ours — prayed by men and women just like us —

it infuses our prayers with hope,
which leads to expectation —
which is itself the stuff of real faith,
the kind that pleases God to answer.

And so it was with confidence that Jabez
(and you and I) could pray:

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me…”

Oh that we would have the boldness
to pray this — not in sinful greed, but
in righteous desire!

How the Lord looks to and fro to strongly
support those whose hearts are fully His —
and will pray honest and bold prayers
for righteousness sake, and for His kingdom!

Finally — Jabez asks the Lord to remove his
mother’s curse:

…keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” 

This echoes the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:13.

In life and in ministry there is a potential to
bless people and to also cause real pain.

The Blessing flows from the Lord’s working
in our lives.

The pain flows from our wretched humanity.

Only death can divorce the two.

How can it be that out of the same mouth
flows both bitter water and sweet?

Personally, I have seen my life gush out both.

My prayer is the prayer of Jabez:

Keep me from evil, 
don’t let my life cause pain.

But use me Lord.
Send me.
Enlarge my territory.
Keep your hand upon my life. 
Let none of my words fail.

Amen.