Have you heard of it?
Bruce Wilkinson wrote a bestseller about this obscure verse in the Old Testament:
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because she said, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’ Jabez called out to the God of Israel: ‘If only you would bless me indeed, enlarge my territory, let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I might not cause pain.’ And God granted his request.” 1 Chronicles 4:8-10.
Imagine being named PAIN. Actually, Jabez’s name means “PAIN-CAUSER.” That’s not a positive name to hang on a newborn child, is it? It is a curse in a culture that took words so seriously. But Jabez refuses to be cursed. For years, he begs God to bless him—and he gets specific:
- Give me more territory—more OPPORTUNITIES to serve you and to bless others.
- Keep Your hand on me and protect me from harm.
- Do not let me be a pain-causer anymore.
And what happened?
GOD GRANTED HIS REQUEST!
Isn’t that great? But why did God grant his request?
- First—and this is important—over the years, Jabez’s prayers became more SPECIFIC. He does not just say, “God help,” or “God, bless me.” He asks God to bless him in clear, specific ways. God likes for you to pray specifically, so that when He answers, you will KNOW it.
- Second, I think the difference between many of our prayers and those of Jabez is that he insists. He grabs hold of God and won’t let go! He begs and pleads with God for years until God grants his request. (Reminds me of Jacob wrestling with God all night and saying, “I won’t let you go until you bless me!”)
- Finally, God LIKES what Jabez requested. Are you praying for things God agrees with? Are you specific? And are you praying hard—insisting and never giving up? If so, God will grant your request!
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Household Words: 