01 February

FROM SORROW TO BLESSEDNESS (2)

“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)

Oh, how we Christians love to identify ourselves with and use this prayer! Let us further indulge our imaginations as we try to relate Jabez story to our present circumstances:

As Jabez and his siblings grew up, his brothers reacted negatively to the circumstances in their home – living disobedient and riotous lives; but Jabez chose the way of honour, peace and obedience, sometimes to his detriment. His mother toiled relentlessly to provide for the family and was so burdened that she was often irritable and took her anger out on Jabez but he continued to obey and honour her. He had to drop out of school for there was no money to pay his fees, but he continued to accompany his mother to the church.

One day, the Vicar, in his sermon on Matthew 11: 28-29, invited all who were in travail to come and find forgiveness and rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jabez reviewed his life and tears rolled down his cheeks. He cried to the Lord for forgiveness of his sins and wasted life. In mercy, the Lord welcomed him as His son and he committed his life to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. Now emboldened, in ardent and fervent prayer, he cried to God:

Oh, God the living and true God, who alone hears and answers prayer, I pray that you would:

 – bless me greatly with spiritual, physical and financial blessings;

– enlarge my coast, prosper my endeavours, increase my portion in you;

– make your hand, presence, direction, guidance, comfort, power and strength might be with me;

– keep me from sin, trouble, sorrow and harm so that it might not bring me pain.

AND GOD GRANTED WHAT HE ASKED! His endeavours prospered remarkably on all fronts and he restored his dysfunctional family to one of joy and peace. In the manifestations in his life, God changed him from Jabez to Bukola, Prosper, Defence, Lafia, Ikechukwu!

ACTION:  Reflect on God’s new name for you.

PRAYER: (Pray the prayer of Jabez).

“As I live, declares the Lord, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you”. (Numbers 14:28)