The Prayer of Jabez

 The prayer of Jabez is found in a historical note within a genealogy: “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).

Little is known of Jabez, other than he was a descendant of Judah, he was an honorable man, and his mother named him “Jabez” (meaning “sorrowful” or “sorrow-maker”) because his had been a painful birth. In his prayer, Jabez cries out to God for protection and blessing. Using a play on words, Jabez, the “man of sorrow,” asks God to keep him from that sorrow which his name both recalled and foreboded.

The prayer of Jabez contains an urgent request for four things: 1) God’s blessing. Jabez acknowledges that the God of Israel is the source of all blessing, and he asks God for His grace. No doubt, this request was based, at least in part, on God’s promise of blessing to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 22:17).

2) An expansion of territory. Jabez prays for victory and prosperity in all his endeavors and that his life would be marked by increase.

3) The presence of God’s hand. In other words, Jabez asks for the guidance of God and His strength to be evident in his daily existence.

4) Protection from harm. Jesus taught His disciples to pray in this way: “Father in heaven . . . deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9, 13). Jabez looks to God in confidence as his defender.

Jabez’s goal in his prayer was to live free from sorrow, and the last thing we read about him is that God heard and answered his prayer. Like Solomon’s humble prayer for wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-14), Jabez’s devout prayer for blessing was answered. The success Jabez enjoyed outweighed the sorrow of his beginning. The prayer of Jabez overcame the name of Jabez.

എനിക്കായ് കരുതുന്നവന്‍....

എനിക്കായ് കരുതുന്നവന്‍

ഭാരങ്ങള്‍ വഹിക്കുന്നവന്‍ (2 )

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യേശു എന്‍ കൂടെയുണ്ട് (2 )

പരീക്ഷ എന്‍റെ ദൈവം അനുവദിച്ചാല്‍

പരിഹാരം എനിക്കായ് കരുതീട്ടുണ്ട് (2 )

എന്തിനെന്നു ചോദിക്കില്ല ഞാന്‍

എന്‍റെ നന്മയ്കായെന്നെറിയുന്നു ഞാന്‍ (2 ) (പരീക്ഷ....)

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അവിടെ ഞാന്‍ ഏകനല്ല (2 )

വീഴുന്നത് തീയിലല്ല

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ഘോരമാം ശോധനയില്‍

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നടത്തുന്നതെശുവത്രേ

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അത് നന്നായ് അറിയുന്നു ഞാന്‍ (2 )

ദൈവം അനുകൂലം എങ്കില്‍

ആരെനികെതിരായിടും (2 ) (പരീക്ഷ....)

Thanksgiving, The Language Of Heaven

A Characteristic of a Christian…

Thankfulness should be a characteristic of a Christian. We should “always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”(Eph. 5:20). And “in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes. 5:18).

Thankfulness ought to be genuine and come from the heart. This is in contrast to the godless who “neither glorify Him nor give thanks to Him” (Rom. 1:21).

Give Thanks In All Circumstances…

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances, because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We should be thankful for material blessings but we shouldn’t put them ahead of the God who bestowed those blessings on us. Our attitude should be to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all other things [food, clothing, shelter, ect.] will then be given to you as well” (Matt. 7:33) .

Being thankful for good times is easy enough, but Paul tells us to be thankful in “all” circumstances, including trials. So much so that he says that we should “rejoice in our sufferings”. There’s an old saying that comes to mind:

“Glory To God For All Things”

In all things? Why? Because Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble, but He was quick to add that He has overcome the world. We’re reminded that“suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 5:3-5 )

Paul goes on to encourage us to be thankful because God makes sure that all things work “for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28). It’s not that all things that happen are good, but that God can cause good to come out of every situation.

We praise Him because trials and hardships do not limit His ability to work in our lives. In fact, when we go through hard times it gives God a chance to do a special work in our life because, “the Lord is near to those with a broken heart” (Ps. 34:18), and His strength “is made perfect in our weakness”. (2 Cor. 12:9) When we are weak, He is strong.

The Importance of Thanksfulness…

In Revelation chapters 4 and 5 we find Creation face to face with Creator in heaven. Creation reacts in two ways: The first reaction is praise – God is perfect and holy and He alone deserves to be worshiped. The second reaction is thankfulness – Although we’re not worthy to stand before God He not only allows us to stand in His presence, He invites us. Jesus promised that if anyone comes to Him, He will not turn them away. (John 6:37)

These thoughts are beyond comprehension! We wonder along with David, “what is man that you are mindful of him?” (Psalm 144:3) The only way to react to the wonderful kindness of God is with a grateful heart. We will be singing songs of thanks to the Lord throughout eternity — “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” will be our anthem. And thanksgiving will be the language of heaven.