By Dr. Benjamin George
Can you imagine that the Holy Spirit suddenly stopped the writer of the first book of chronicles about the kings of Israel. He did it just to make mention of one of the most insignificant and ignominious men in their history– JABEZ! The first ten chapters are full of lists of the names of hundreds of people of every tribe in Israel. Names after names, all the way, without any break! Some were great men, some insignificant. Then right smack in the middle, the Spirit of God inspired the writer to abruptly include just TWO VERSES ABOUT JABEZ!
God knew that probably more than all the accounts of all the great men in the Bible, Jabez’s story could inspire you and me to beat the odds and become great! God included nothing in His eternal Word that would not profit us who read it! Jabez’s story has touched and changed the lives of countless people. The name Jabez means ‘pain’. His mother gave birth in pain. Every birth has pain. As a doctor, I have delivered over a thousand babies. I have heard mothers scream in labour pain. But all mothers give their kids the best names they can find! Not Jabez’s mother!
Throughout his boyhood and youth and even into adult life, Jabez suffered the shame and distress of being reminded that he had been of such terrible pain to his mother. Also there was the agony of hearing people daily calling him 'pain', 'pain'! Sometimes in ridicule, but usually not. But every time he heard his name called, he felt slighted and ashamed!
Then came Jabez’s day of decision! He told himself ‘enough was enough’. He couldn't change his name. But he was determined to do something about it. Jabez began to pray, indeed cry to his God, the God of Israel. His prayer changed his destiny. He became more honourable than all his brothers with better names. He became the leader of his tribe. Prayer changes things! But more so prayer changes men and their destiny! How long did he pray? Long enough for God to make him a leader who was honoured!
Dear believer, what distressing situation are you going through right now? Your business is not doing well? Your boss is giving you endless headaches? He doesn’t like you or is jealous of you? You’ve lost your job? A relationship has soured and you are going through hell? You have been inflicted by an incurable disease like cancer? You need a major surgery? Not doing well in your studies? You cannot get admission to college? You are unable to get a good job?
You too can change your destiny, your circumstances! But you must begin to cry out to the God of Israel and our God now! Let God change your circumstances. Let Him change your destiny! He will! God answers prayers. He always does! Jesus gave us many promises about answers to prayer. But most of all he said something special about crying to God day and night. Jesus said, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?" (Lk 18.7). Do you believe? Then keep crying out in spite of the delay! God answers prayer, otherwise He cannot be God! Remember Jabez!
Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, I have been praying to You about my problem. I still pray. But there is no answer. I am distressed. I am desperate. If You answered Jabez’s prayer, You can answer mine too! I will keep believing and waiting. Amen.
BIBLE READING FOR TODAY 1 CHRONICLES 4
9 "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."
10 And God granted his request
No comments:
Post a Comment