At the moment my family and I are reading through 1 Chronicles, a book heavy with genealogies. Because the names can be a mouthful and sound foreign to English speakers the temptation might be to skip them. Even in genealogies there are some delightful insights, like Jabez in 1 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." 10 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."
The Strong's Concordance defines the name "Jabez" as "to grieve, sorrowful." The birth of Jabez was painful, yet out of pain was borne great blessing because he called on the God of Israel. He prayed believing and God granted him what he requested. Jabez is mentioned here because he was more honourable than his brothers, yet his prayer was answered because God is good and gracious. The prayer uttered by Jabez is not to be viewed as a formula to obtain blessing from God, but all who call on the God of Israel will surely be blessed. Even those who do not call upon God or acknowledge God's existence have been unknowingly blessed by God without measure.
Jabez called out to God and asked for the blessing of His presence. Jabez was so named because his mother bore him in pain, but he did not want to be a pain. Through God's answer to his prayers he was kept from evil and was not defined by his name. I praise God He answers prayers not to rise above a bad name but to shed our sinful nature by being born again through faith in Jesus. In a moment the one who repents of sin and trusts in Jesus Christ as Saviour has a new identity and infinite blessing which endures forever. This is God's will for everyone: to know, trust, and dwell with Him always.
Many people hope for utopia or enduring peace on earth, but until Jesus Christ in judgment peace will remain a mirage. Those who receive Christ now are not guaranteed land ownership on earth but a place in heaven where righteousness dwells. By the grace of God He is not only with us but has made us His dwelling place. Jesus has redeemed us from the power and penalty of sin, having provided wisdom, guidance, and strength to walk uprightly in a world full of sin. In this world we will experience pain and suffering, yet one day all things will be made new and our eyes wiped free of every sorrowful tear. We do not need to wonder if God will answer this prayer, and it is not only the "more honourable" God will hear. God will answer the humble heart that cries out in faith, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" can be justified right now and for all eternity.
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Praise the LORD, for all blessings come through Him.
The Strong's Concordance defines the name "Jabez" as "to grieve, sorrowful." The birth of Jabez was painful, yet out of pain was borne great blessing because he called on the God of Israel. He prayed believing and God granted him what he requested. Jabez is mentioned here because he was more honourable than his brothers, yet his prayer was answered because God is good and gracious. The prayer uttered by Jabez is not to be viewed as a formula to obtain blessing from God, but all who call on the God of Israel will surely be blessed. Even those who do not call upon God or acknowledge God's existence have been unknowingly blessed by God without measure.
Jabez called out to God and asked for the blessing of His presence. Jabez was so named because his mother bore him in pain, but he did not want to be a pain. Through God's answer to his prayers he was kept from evil and was not defined by his name. I praise God He answers prayers not to rise above a bad name but to shed our sinful nature by being born again through faith in Jesus. In a moment the one who repents of sin and trusts in Jesus Christ as Saviour has a new identity and infinite blessing which endures forever. This is God's will for everyone: to know, trust, and dwell with Him always.
Many people hope for utopia or enduring peace on earth, but until Jesus Christ in judgment peace will remain a mirage. Those who receive Christ now are not guaranteed land ownership on earth but a place in heaven where righteousness dwells. By the grace of God He is not only with us but has made us His dwelling place. Jesus has redeemed us from the power and penalty of sin, having provided wisdom, guidance, and strength to walk uprightly in a world full of sin. In this world we will experience pain and suffering, yet one day all things will be made new and our eyes wiped free of every sorrowful tear. We do not need to wonder if God will answer this prayer, and it is not only the "more honourable" God will hear. God will answer the humble heart that cries out in faith, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" can be justified right now and for all eternity.
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Praise the LORD, for all blessings come through Him.
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