I Chronicles 4:10 ~ 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.
The Jabez prayer is one of my favorite verses because in the middle of the genealogy listing of mostly just names, God takes time to recognize Jabez and his prayer. The name Jabez means pain and sorrow. His mother named him this because she gave birth to him in great pain. But through this prayer, Jabez rises above his past and his pain into his purpose. He unselfishly asks God to bless him and enlarge his territory. “And God granted his request.”
Just like with Jabez, God desires to do more through us, but our motives must be pure first. We cannot “do” right, just to impress others; or think our “works” are getting us ahead. When we desire to do more for God out of our love for Him, God will bless and enlarge our territory. When we acknowledge and accept God’s unconditional love, grace and mercy, a seed is planted that gives us a desire to do more for Him and to serve others. If we allow God to cultivate and grow that seed, we open ourselves to be used in our daily lives to share God’s love and blessings. God loves a surrendered heart that longs to be used for His purpose. It is through that surrendered heart that God can show His beauty and bless others through us.
So today, I encourage you to cry out like Jabez and ask God to bless and enlarge your territory for His purpose. And when you pray this prayer be ready to be used by God in new and different ways.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that you would bless me and enlarge my territory. Let your hand be with me, keep me from harm and free from pain; not for my own personal gain but for Your glory. Amen.
Purpose in Action: Are you praying for God to enlarge your territory? What are you doing to align yourself with God’s word and plan?
For His Purpose,
LiKeisha
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