Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NLT)

9 There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. 10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

In this chapter of Chronicles it is difficult to gather anything other than genealogy. However, in the case of Jabez the writer found it important to detail why he had the name Jabez, and to explain a particular prayer that he was known for. Wow! We often attend funerals, and occasionally a ‘Roast’ to honor a person, and we hear about all that a person may have done. Seldom do we ever hear about an individual known for a particular prayer that they developed or often prayed. In my opinion, there would be no greater honor than to be remembered for my Godly beliefs/practices/prayers. I am very conscious about praying to God in thanksgiving, in remembrance, and petitioning for the many things that I have no control over or that I have concerns about, but to know that my prayer may have impacted others and their walk or commitment to God would be nothing short of a ‘God’ thing, intended to give Him glory and praise. I believe that others are impacted by our honesty and practices really not intended to impress anyone, but that are offered as a sincere expression of the heart. The detail of this man’s prayer is very powerful also. We often pray for the needs of others; however Jabez prayed that God would not only bless him where he was at in life, but to actually expand his opportunities. It’s like asking God to bless me in my home, my workplace, my church, and even in my community, state and country, and to ask this in sincerity knowing that God would bless me so that I would actually have an impact (spiritually) in these places. I can only imagine how something like this would impact our world. God is still looking for sincere, honest men of God that would develop such a prayer life that they would be known by others for it. Then as the end of verse 10 reads, “and God granted him his request”, I believe that God will also do the same for us.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord, only You really know the condition of our world today and only You know, and have the power to overcome the evil that prevails. Like in the case of Jabez, I pray that You would not only bless me personally, but that You may expand the borders of my influence, keep me from trouble, and use me for Your glory.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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