Oh That You Would Bless Me

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 ESV
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’ Jabez cried out to God of Israel, ‘O that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.”

The name Jabez can be interpreted, “born in sorrow or pain.” Going around introducing yourself with that name had to be mortifying. But Jabez found favor with God and in the midst of that favor, Jabez cried out to God and asks for a few things that were the will of God for his life.

1) Jabez asks for God to bless his life, but I believe Jabez’s request was for blessings on his physical body, his material value, his emotion state, and his spiritual vitality.

2) Jabez asks God to enlarge his territory. I believe this was for expanded land and divine influence.

3) Jabez asked for God to bless his life. He said, “Let Your hand be with me.” That is asking for God’s blessing in every facet of life.

We get it backwards sometimes, we want God to follow us and bless all that we do, instead of doing what He wants.

4) The last thing that Jabez asked for was to be free from harm and pain. I think Jabez was asking to be free from physical and emotional pain.

Jabez grew up under a cloud but he had value and God saw that. Jabez wanted to be free of the painful past and have a bright future. It is a simple prayer but direct and definitely in the heart of God. Therefore God granted his request.

Prayer:
Lord, hear the cry of Your children today. As they humble themselves before You today, and seek Your face, help their unbelief turn to pure faith in You. I pray they will trust You, know Your will and approach the throne of grace boldly as Jabez did. Grant their requests in Jesus name, Amen.