Will You?

1 Chron.4:¹⁰ “He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request”

Jabez was born dis-advantaged. But Jabez asked and God turned his story around. Will you ask? By God’s grace alone and honestly, for as long as I can remember, there is nothing anybody has that I am jealous of. Nothing! And it is because I discovered God’s heart about asking. He will not withhold anything good from them that love Him.

I was on my way back home from a conference some years ago. I had just gotten married and ten days away from my wife seemed like eternity. Getting back home was all I could think about. But while on the queue at the airport, one of the airline officials approached me. She said the flight was over booked. She proposed that I travel the next day and in turn, the airline will compensate me for the inconveniences, a hotel room and some monetary compensation. While she was speaking, it upset me because I was the only black man on the queue, so you can imagine what I was thinking – but I must confess, the monetary compensation got me thinking that perhaps we could work something out.

So I asked for the money and she gave it to me, I counted it to be sure it was complete. Then I asked, “what next?” She said, “there is a bus going to the hotel now, go with the bus and we will see you tomorrow”. So I said, “what if after you have checked everybody in, there is space, can I still get on this flight? She said, “Sir, I can assure you that there would be no space”. I said, “Just in case there is, can I?” She said, “Of course”. So I told her to let the bus leave, without me.

Then I went into a corner and petitioned heaven. “Oh God of heaven! These people have racially profiled me. So let the person that needs to be stuck in traffic, get stuck in traffic. Let the person that needs to receive an urgent call, get the urgent call and cancel his trip.” This happened thirteen years ago, I have grown up since then and perhaps wouldn’t do that now.

I waited until the lounge at the airport was empty. Then the lady walked up to me and smiled and said, “Sir, we have a seat for you.” Is that not favor? But I had to trigger it by a petition. So I got free money and I got on the flight.

Prayer: Spirit of God, teach me to petition aright and unlock God’s favour, in Jesus Name.