1 CHRONICLES 4:9-10

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.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Name’s have meaning David = ancient Hebrew = “dear” or “darling Melissa = Greek = “honey bee” Sharon = Hebrew = “fertile plain” Frederic = German = “peace ruler” Jabez = Hebrew = “PAIN”

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me” does not apply to Jabez.” God helps him through his simple prayer Sometimes it’s the simple prayers that mean the most!

WHAT IS A BLESSING?

“Oh, that you would bless me…” What is a blessing?

It is a specific gift from God, for a specific time and a specific purpose, to bring increase into our life.

It is God’s nature to bless His people. Gen 12:2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you

and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. Ps 72:17 His name shall endure forever; his name shall

continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Jabez prayed for God’s best in his life

ENLARGE MY TERRITORY

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!”

This is taking the limitations off God in your life! This is saying to God, “I am tired of limiting what you can do

through me.” Remember, it is us who limits the work of the Holy Spirit in

our lives The Hebrew word for “enlarge” also means – to bring in

abundance, to increase, to bring up, to multiply, to make greater, to extend the dimensions…”

The Hebrew word for “territory” also means – border, space, coast, bounds, limits

This prayer, in essence, is saying “Lord, get me out of my comfort zone that I may enter into a great measure of your blessing.”

GOD’S HAND ON US

“Let your hand be with me…” God in all His glory, all His majesty, all His splendor

and awesomeness wants to put His hand on us! The Hebrew word that is used here is the one for an open

hand. This word indicates power, means, and direction. Power

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.“

2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Means Phil 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to

His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Ps 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

GOD’S HAND ON US

This word indicates power, means, and direction. Direction

Ps 37:23-25 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.

PAIN NO MORE

“…keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.”

Harm = evil Sin doesn’t just affect us, it affects those around us.

Jabez had grown up with the title of “one who causes pain” – but he knew God could set him free of that label

Matt 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Rom 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

Don’t struggle with your sin and say, “I will go to God after I have dealt with this.” Ask him to help you deal with it.”

CONCLUSION

Jabez is remembered today: He was not a great prophet or preacher He was not a wise ruler over great nation He was not famous on the field of battle He was remembered because of his prayer!

James 4:2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. We should pray for God’s blessing We should ask him to get us out of our comfort zones –

enlarge out territories We should pray for God’s power, means and direction We should ask him to keep us free from sin