Called!

1 Chronicles 4:9 “Jabez, whose name commemorates his mother’s labour pains…” (The Voice)

Jabez, as you can imagine, went about life with this label, this name tag, “he that causes pain”. As you can imagine, it probably was difficult for Jabez to find a wife. Imagine he is courting a lady and she takes him home to her father. And her father asks him, “What is your name young man?” And he says, “I am the one that causes pain”. What do you think will happen, particularly if her father is one of those very superstitious types? Her father probably would send him packing. Imagine he applies for a job in someone’s company and has resume reads, he that brings sorrow. Jabez probably found it difficult to get a job, or even having friends. 

But Jabez did not resign to destiny. Some people would say, well, some people have it good in life. If only my parents, if only this, if only that… But Jabez did not resign to fate. Jabez did something crucial. 1 Chronicles 4:9 “And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren…” (KJV, emphasis added). At the end of his life, Jabez became more honourable than his brethren, why?

1 Chronicles 4:10 “And Jabez called on the God of Israel…” (KJV, emphasis added). Regardless of what men have said about you, if you will call on the God of Israel, if you will call on the God of covenant, your story will change to an honourable one. Regardless of what has been said about you, if you will call on the living God, it will change for good. You will become honourable, regardless of what has come your way. 

In preparing for this season, my mind went back to years and years ago. My spiritual father of blessed memory, Pastor Eskor, would make us pray the prayer that Jabez prayed called the prayer of Jabez. We prayed it day in, day out. I took this prayer into my closet, into my personal life, and I prayed it day in, day out. I look back, and the prayer worked. God honoured His Word. I want to encourage you to engage the prayer of Jabez. Some of you are just going to start praying this prayer, but for others it is time to pick it up again. Guess what? I have been challenged to start praying this prayer again, because where God is taking me, eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, it has not even entered into the hearts of men. 

Where God is taking you, eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, and it has not even entered into the hearts of men. 1 Chronicles 4:10 “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” (KJV).  Engage it, wrestle with it, until it becomes flesh and dwells with you.

Prayer: Father, bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do and keep me from all trouble and pain. You did it for Jabez, please do it for me, in Jesus Name. Amen!