In the interest of completing our chronological journey through Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, we need to return to the genealogies that were previously skipped (due to most of the people not being born yet).
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.” (v9-10)
Jabez, one of the descendants of Judah (same as David and Jesus) Has this brief, yet powerful account in scripture. His mother named him “he brought me sorrow/pain”. He did not want his namesake to be prophetic, so he cried out to God and was blessed. It’s pretty clear based on many other passages that Jabez would have been a God-honoring man, otherwise God would not likely have granted this prayer.
Jabez is a great example of how we can interact with God today. God wants us to bring all of our worries, anxieties, fears and requests to Him. He wants to be our sole source of provision, and we are to be fully dependent on Him. Many verses in the Bible state that we can fully trust God with everything, and He will be our everything: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psa 121:1-2)
I encourage each of us to spend some time in prayer today, laying all of our spiritual and emotional burdens on God, trusting that He wants to help us with them. As we cast all of our cares and fears upon Him, a burden (or many burdens) will be lifted off of us, and we can more easily experience the Joy of the Lord.
Father God, our Kind and Loving Lord, You are warm and welcoming beyond description. When we rest in Your arms, and fully entrust all of our cares to You, we find comfort beyond imagination. Worries and fears melt away when we are safe in Your arms, wrapped in the blanket of Your mercy and grace. May we bring all things to You, and not carry burdens we are not meant to carry alone. May we trust You are with us and long to be our strength, help, and guide. In the name of our Holy King Jesus we thank You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training