Today’s reading continues with more of Israel’s genealogical record. Interestingly, God includes tiny bits of personal information scattered throughout the lists of names. There is always something interesting or surprising!
In the reading, we see Jabez and his prayer. Other than his prayer, not much is mentioned about him. I doubt he ever thought about people reading this one prayer request thousands of years later. But notice its simplicity.
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. (1 Chronicles 4:10, ESV)
Jabez understood trouble and pain, and they seemed to follow him. So what did he do about it? Instead of going to social media and having a pity party for the world to see, instead of becoming cynical and complaining about all the troubles and woes of life, instead of adopting a defeatist/victimhood mentality, he went to God! After all, God is the one who can do something about it! The Bible says that God granted what he asked.
Now, we must be careful about taking a verse like this and turning it into a formula for prosperity and success. Often, such formulas are nothing more than the vanity of a fleshly, prosperity-driven view of God. Our flesh does not like pain! We do not want trouble! We like comfort and convenience, and we like it when everything goes well! Yet the Bible clarifies that God uses or allows pain and trouble in our lives for our good and His glory. Did God remove the Apostle Paul’s thorn in the flesh, even after praying to God three times? No! Does that mean that God didn’t answer Paul’s prayer? No! God answered that prayer with an extra helping of grace, that Paul would remain humble and find his strength in God through weakness. So, how do we make sense of Jabez’s prayer?
First, we should go to God with pain and trouble! There is also nothing wrong with asking God to spare us from pain and trouble. Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray that God would spare him from unreasonable and wicked men.
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3:1–3, KJV)
Second, know that God hears us! He waits to receive our burdens if we will but cast them in His direction. He is our burden bearer (1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22)!
Third, let’s accept His answers with His grace. He knows what’s best! Paul decided to glory in his infirmity, not get grumpy.
Let’s ask God! Let’s believe that He hears! Let’s accept His answer! He does all things well, both for our good and His glory!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 1 Chronicles 3-5:26.