When All Fails, One Thing That Works!

“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 the God of Israel, “Oh 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. And God granted his request.” (1st Chronicles 4:9-10)

The prayer of an ordinary and straightforward fellow got the attention of the God of the universe. It appears Jabez was in some harm and pain. He cried out to the Lord and said, “keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” Therefore, he sought the Lord to keep him from harm, and as a result, he would be free from pain. The Bible says only these two verses about his man. No more details about him or his background are given to us. We do not know what type of pain he was in and the harm he feared. 

Another observation is that he sought God’s blessings amid fear and pain and prayed to enlarge his territory. NASB translates “extend my border.” NCV translates, “give me more land.” 

His mother named him Jabez because she said, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Maybe he had pain from the time of birth. However, one thing is certain. He was not feeling pity and raising the white flag when he had fear and pain. You see, he decided to seek the Lord in prayer who can help and bless him. He prayed for protection from harm and deliverance from pain. Amazingly, note that he also prayed to enlarge his territory or extend his environment. 

I do not know the situation you find yourself in. It could be fear, pain, or something else. However, Are you courageous enough to ask the Lord for His help and deliverance? Would you also pray for more opportunities so that you can be His hand and feet in this world as long as you live here, although you are hit with hardships? 

The fantastic result was this- Listen! God granted his request. God extended the territory of his influence as well, the reason why he became a significant figure to include in the pages of the Bible. 

There are specific points we learn from the success of Jabez to apply in our lives.

1. When all else may fall, only one thing that works- a prayer to the living God in heaven.
2. Whatever the situation you go through, there is still hope and deliverance available if you’re willing to pray.
3. You should not allow your lousy situation to determine your God-designed destiny. 
4. If you pray for more opportunities, God loves it and wants to extend your territory or area of influence right in your difficulties and heartfelt problems. 
5. The Bible says that when you pray, you pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ because He died, buried, and rose again for your sins that separated you from the holy God. 
6. Jabez has faith in God. In the end, it is not your ability, smartness, or even talent that is crucial. What is vital is your unwavering faith and trust in God. Although they are ordinary, the faith people make touchdowns, not those with skills and abilities. 
7. The verse says Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. What made him honorable is he expected great things from God. He shared his desire to do great things for the Lord.

Would you pray now? “Father in heaven, I pray now to help and deliver me from the problems I am facing. I know I can come to you in confidence because Jesus died, buried, and rose again for all of my sins and shortcomings. I am sincerely sorry for my sins. I accept Jesus as my savior. Please help and deliver me and extend the borders of my opportunities to bring glory to your name when I live here on this earth. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”