Good Morning Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
In the Book of I Chronicles 4:9-10 is found the short but powerful story of a man named Jabez. We’ve all heard or had this story preached to us at some point in our religious upbringing. Most of the time, wrongly taught.
I Chronicles 4:9-10
9 And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
Names and words have great power. As they are spoken by men, women, and children, the declaration, whether good or bad, will come to pass. Obviously Jabez’ mother was not a Believer. Out of her own selfishness and unbelief, she named her son, “sorrow,” or “he causes pains.” Fine name for a mother to give her child.
Jabez grew up being called “sorrow,” or “he causes pains” by everyone around him, and every time his mother spoke the name, it reminded her of the tough childbirth she had with him. Jabez obviously had great struggles in his youth and early years. Then, at some point, he came to know the God of Israel. Jabez came to know he was royalty of the Most-High God. How do you know this, Larry? Read the start of verse 9: “And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren…” Jabez and his faith is so important, God set aside two verses to speak of him.
Why did God consider Jabez more honorable than his brethren? Very simple. Look at verse 10. Jabez became convinced that even though his mother thought so little of him, His Heavenly Father had decreed him to be royalty and an heir and joint-heir to all of Heaven and earth. Jabez dared believe His Father’s Word about Him. Let’s look at verse 10 in the Young’s Literal Translation, which is the Hebrew:
10 And Jabez calleth to the God of Israel, saying, “If blessing Thou dost bless me, then Thou hast made great my border, and Thy hand hath been with me, and Thou hast kept me from evil — not grieve me;” and God bringeth in that which he asked.
Notice in the Hebrew, there is no future tense – past and present only. Why? Because it has already been done. Jabez decreed what he had learned of his Father. His Father has blessed him, made his border great, His hand is with Jabez, and God has kept him from evil. When Jabez ask for his border to be made great, there is two meanings: one a new mental picture of himself as royalty and one a physical increase of a border in material and financial prosperity. Jabez had to see himself as royalty before God could move his material and financial borders. Jabez had to learn to decree God’s Word over his life. Because Jabez was willing to do this, God found him to be more honorable than his brethren.
What about you? Are you more honorable than your brethren or do you live under the dark cloud of words you choose to believe and utter over yourself and your situations? If you’re willing to decree God’s Word and stand upon it patiently, you’ll reap the fruit of it. And God’s fruit is perfect, sweet, and filling. You will have what God says you have.
In closing, I ask you to pray for this Presidential Administration, Congress, and the Justice system. It is no secret this Administration is pure, unadulterated evil. However, we are commanded by God to pray for the salvation of this President, his family, the Vice President, her family, and for all the Administration, Congress, and Justice. Just imagine if the President became a Believer, what amazing changes would take place. However, I also ask that you pray for the complete destruction of all the President’s plans, all Congress’ plans, and all the unjust rulings by the Justice system. Pray God will mock them by exposing the plans, then having them all destroy each other. We will be able to stand by and watch as evil destroys evil. God says in His Word that He uses evil men to destroy evil men. We must remember vengeance is the Lord God’s. We are to steer clear of vengeance and leave it to Him. Right now, we are starting to see this happen. Ask God to have it continue and have them fall upon the swords they meant to use to harm others. May their political and business careers be totally and completely annihilated.
Have a wonderful week.
In Christ,
Larry