The Man Jabez

‘There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabezbecause his birth had been so painful’ 1 Chro.4:9

Has anyone called you a pain in the neck? Perhaps your spouse or your boss at work just gives you the vibe that you are a pain in their neck. Perhaps it is your parents that have expressed this kind of feeling toward you. And a lot of people have to struggle with a deep seated resentment. This is probably the reason why a lot of us can relate to Jabez. We are able to identify with his struggle with rejection. We turn to the people that we expect will embrace us but we meet emptiness. In the case of Jabez, the first time he was entering the world, the woman that should embrace him cursed him. Jabez was desperate to be accepted because everywhere he turned, Jabez was rejected. It was not just because the woman that should have bestowed affection on him rejected him. The name Jabez in Hebrew is the word ‘yabetz’ and it literally means ‘he that makes sorrowful’. How could he have gotten a job, or had friends or even gotten married with such a name. One thing was certain Jabez’ history was full of sorrow. You may be able to relate at least to some degree to Jabez. When we have such a history it appears sometimes that the odds are against us. And succeeding seems impossible. The limitation that was placed on Jabez was in his name. Everywhere he went and every time Jabez was called it reinforced the limitation. What do you do when your mere existence causes pain to the people around you? What do you do when the people that are supposed to be there for you turn their back on you? What do you do when a baggage stares you consistently in the face and refuses to let go. That is what some people have been contending with. But I have good news for you today; the God that changed the story of Jabez will change your story in the Name of Jesus. The God that established Jabez will establish you regardless of the limitation. God will change your story from sorrow to sweetness in Jesus Name. I am confident that the God of Heaven will step into your situation and turn it around for good in Jesus Name.

Prayer: Father, I am thankful because the story of Jabez builds my faith. I thank You for the promise of beauty for ashes in my life, in Jesus Name.