December Sixth: Day Six

Hello People
Breathe in..... Breathe out
Breathe in..... Breathe out
That was just to relieve you of any stress.
How are you doing?
Good yesterday?
Oh well, mine was really chilled
Just ran a few errands and was back home doing some work.
Welcome to day 6
Thank you very much for hanging with me.

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

1 Chronicles 4: 9 - 10 (New King James Version) 

Can I paraphrase in our regular English?

I will even before you think to answer.

Jabez was quite a forthright guy. He stood for the truth and was ethical in everything he did but his mum had already called him Jabez because he was a difficult pregnancy and/or she had prolonged labour when she was to deliver him. He might have also been born in pain because the economy was bad or she got a sad news around that time. But honestly, why would she have named him based on the negative circumstance?

However, it occurred to him at some point that he didn't need to die with that reputation so when he prayed, he told to God that he wanted to be really blessed and helped by God to be wealthier. He  also confirmed that he needed God's hand on him to shield him from evil so that he do not cause pain. The beauty in this passage is that God answered his every phrase. Count them, they are really 5 phrases in his prayer.

Has it ever occurred to you that the only time Jabez was mentioned as a person in the bible was because of his prayer? Smack bang in the passage that talked about the family of Judah. His prayer was just so relevant for us that it had to be inserted in the history/genealogy lessons of 1 Chronicles 4.

What current situations are you tired of?

Are you causing anyone pain?

Anyone includes yourself.

Beating yourself up for the things you haven't achieved.

Are you tired of being called by a label although there is more to you than the negatives people see?

Can you talk to God about it?

Have a wonderful Wednesday knowing that when you talk to God about it, He is sure to grant your request.

Loads of love, hugs and kisses

Miss Onakz...