Monday, June 6, 2011

Ask God

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I might not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

-- 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV)

Most of us have heard of the prayer of Jabez. Maybe you’ve even read the book. There actually are several books based on Jabez. I guess because he dared to ask God Almighty to bless him and give him more, asking also that God would keep His hand on Jabez and keep him from evil and pain. The nerve?! Oh, but the sincerity in that request which came from his heart.

Back in the days when Jabez lived, babies were given a particular name for a specific reason. So what does Jabez mean? Pain. His mother named him Jabez because she bore him in pain. Can you imagine growing up with that name? You aren’t a treasure or a joy or beloved descendent. You are forever associated with pain.

Except Jabez asked God for help. He didn’t wallow in what could have been his circumstances. He didn’t simply accept his fate in life. He didn’t live down to his name. Instead, he rose up and opened his heart to the God who loved him. And you know what? God said yes.

We’re supposed to accept our circumstances, whatever they are. We’re supposed to be content, wherever we are. We’re supposed to be thankful for whatever we have. So does that mean we’re never to ask God for more? Not according to Jabez. And if you, like me, believe that the Bible is inspired by God, then these simple words about Jabez must mean something.

I’m not saying that God is going to give you or me or anyone everything they desire. It doesn’t work that way. God knows what is best for us, even when we don’t believe it. God, our Father, our Yahweh, wants only good things for us and He’ll give us those things if we’ll only ask. But we have to ask. We have to trust Him. We have to open our hearts to Him.

Remember that Jabez didn’t just ask for more blessings and a larger territory. He also asked God to guide him. Jabez wanted God to always keep His mighty hand on him so that Jabez could walk the path God intended for Jabez to follow. Jabez wanted to follow God. And just as God granted Jabez’ request, he’ll grant your request and mine. Because God wants us to want His hand on our lives.

Some people begin each day with praying the prayer of Jabez. It’s a powerful prayer. It requires a great deal of courage to lay yourself open to God Almighty and offer yourself up to Him. Courage, yes, but oh what blessings will come when you journey under the direction of God’s hand.