“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that Thou wouldst 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 4:10
What is the prayer that God hears? Is it not the simple cry of the honest heart? Is it not that expression of the deep needs of the soul which pertain to living on this earth in a manner worthy of God?
Jabez is described in Scripture as being, “…more honorable than his brethren.” (4:9) He is also singled out as being one that was born with sorrow. We do not know all of the circumstances that surrounded his life, but we do gather by his prayer, that “sorrow,” and the difficult circumstances that surrounded him, moved him to pray in a certain way, for specific things. That which is very remarkable about Jabez is his faith. While so many other people are mentioned just prior to Jabez, and immediately succeeding him, there is no other prayer written. Why? It is because the prayer is destined for those who would succeed him, those men and women of faith, whose whole hope is in God, and who believe that He can be found if sought. So, what do we discover specifically about this man Jabez, and how can we apply it to our lives?
In the beginning of Jabez’ prayer, he addresses God as, “…the God of Israel,” the one on who he CALLED. Jabez’ seeking of God was not a meager, or half-hearted search. It was a pursuit with a purpose, a commitment to seek until he found. Like Jacob of old, alone with God, he had nowhere else to turn, and certainly no one else who could help, and save him. As is the case with most men who seek God, there is the acute awareness of need that drives them in their pursuit. Jabez was persuaded of this, for his prayer was specific and directional. He called upon the God of Israel so that first of all, God would bless him. Why did he pray this? Jabez was persuaded that the only thing, or the only Person, who could truly meet the needs of his heart was God. It would only be, in His mercy, that God would bless Jabez. But again, like the helpless, but pursuing Jacob of old, his was the persuasion and conviction, that he could not leave off praying without receiving the blessing of God. His helplessness was his greatest strength, for he believed that the deep call of his heart, honest and sincere, would be heard by the source of all blessing.
Jabez continues in his prayer, seemingly determined to not limit God. On the contrary, if he is to believe in His blessing, why would that not apply to the enlargement of his coasts, his territory. This would certainly be the tangible proof of God’s blessing, especially in regard to prayer. But if this petition is to be answered, there is another one that must accompany it: “…and that Thy hand might be with me.” The power and authority of God are essential if there is to be ground gained in the life, for there will certainly be resistance and opposition by the enemy of the souls of men.
Jabez then speaks of this very thing, for he prays: “…and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil.” Jesus, hundreds of years later would teach his disciples to pray the same thing, “…and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matt. 6:13) He also prayed for His disciples just before His crucifixion, “…that Thou shouldest keep from evil (or the evil one.”) (Jn. 17:15) Jabez knew something of the suffering which the enemy can impose, not only upon a single life, but upon many others. Hence, he prays specifically for the blessing of God, the tangible enlargement of that blessing, the providing power of God, being kept from the destructive, evil one.
Dear Father, Bless us fully today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.