Text: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 KJV

Further Reading: James 3:1-18

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 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.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

MESSAGE

The biography of Jabez written in two short verses of the Bible shows how powerful words can be. His mother named him Jabez, meaning, sorrow. He grew up with the name, and people call him by the name. The result was obvious judging by his prayer in verse 10.

For Jabez, it was a life of pain and sorrow. Even though he was meant to be honourable above his brethren, he had lived his life in dishonour because someone had said he would be “Sorrow”. Notice in his prayer the first thing he asked for was blessings.

For a man asking for a blessing, there is a precedence. Another man Jacob who got to his crossroad also begged for a blessing (Genesis 32:26). This shows how Jabez must have lived before asking God to bless him. He must have toiled and labour without result. Men might have used him and cheated him. His frustration cannot be explained, indeed his life seemed cursed.

The next prayer was for God to enlarge his coast. This brings to mind how little a life he had lived up till then. How poor he must have been without hope and assurance of a future. Jabez was next to nothing, no one would reckon with him because his life showed no promise of anything good.

Jabez had suffered too much evil and mischief all his life. In his other prayers, he asked that the Lord’s hand may be with him and keep him from evil. We don’t know what sort of calamity and troubles has plagued this man up till now, but it was obvious from his prayer that he had endured much of evil and grieve.

Jabez was a victim of word. His mother named him sorrow, people called him sorrow, and all he got was sorrow. But Jabez did what you must do today. He prayed.

God is always willing to bless, He is a good God. You can go to God confidently letting Him know your needs. (Philippians 1:6). God used the prayer of Jabez to address the negativity that has crippled his life.

Jabez seems to have reached a point where it is either he got a change of life or nothing. He must have prayed with all sincerity and passion. God being merciful will not deny the prayer of faith because He has promised to answer when He is called upon.

Friends again, I plead with you to be careful with words, especially parents. Who knows what the life of Benjamin would have become if Jacob did not change his name from Benoni (meaning son of sorrow) to Benjamin (Genesis 35:18).

Are you a victim of words? Did someone speak into your life and everything has trended towards trouble and evil? Be like Jabez and pray today. Counter every negative word with the word of God. Don’t live in anxiety, rather pray.

I pray for everyone that God’s word will restore all the years that the enemy has taken away, and give you a renewed hope to face your tomorrow in Jesus’ Name. God who changed the life of Jabez will do the same for you today.

Are you on the Lord’s side? If you are not ask Jesus to save you from your sins today and you can be sure that He will also change your story.

REFLECTION

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

James 3:10

How are you using your mouth, to bless or to curse? Let your words be a fountain of blessings in people’s lives.

PRAYER

Father, Please bless me indeed, enlarge my coast, let your hands be with me, keep me from evil, and let it be well with me all the days of my life.