Jabez's Lessons for the New Year by Michelle Lawson

Jabez's Lessons for the New Year
by Michelle Lawson

What is interesting when reading 1 Chronicles 4 is that until verse 9, it is a genealogical account of the tribe of Judah - it tells who is related to whom.  But when we get to 1 Chronicles 4:9,  the Bible takes the time to give a brief biography about Jabez.  

In verse 9, the Bible says that when he was born, Jabez caused his mother great pain.  So, although she gave birth to several children, what sticks out about her child Jabez is that his birth was a difficult, painful one.  The pain must have been particularly excruciating if it was so severe that it was the reason his name was chosen.  In Hebrew, one word for pain is Jabez.  

I once heard my pastor, Pastor Dechard Freeman of Abundant Life Church in Austin, Texas preach a sermon about Jabez.  And what Pastor Freeman made the congregation visualize is a child growing up with a name meaning Pain.  Can you imagine the burden that child must have felt - the shame, the guilt?

We all know people who have felt worthless since childhood.  Often times these children have been told that they would never amount to anything - that there were good for nothing.  But as the story of Jabez illustrates, there is hope for each and everyone of us.  Jabez did not let the circumstances of his birth determine his entire life.  Even though it looked as if he would lead to a life of despair and sorrow, the Lord made Jabez' life a great one.  Why did that happen?  Let's look at the text for the reason:

 ⁹ Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez,^[c] saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” ¹⁰ 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. (NIV)

Note that in verse 10, Jabez cries out to God.  Jabez knows that the only one who can help him, the only one who can change his circumstances is God.  Despite the difficulties of his birth and his life, Jabez has faith that the Lord can change the outcome of his life.  

From birth, Jabez was labeled a loser - someone who had caused his mother pain, someone who would amount to nothing.  His prayer shows that Jabez realizes that God is the one who blesses.  Jabez knew he could not make it on his own.  Jabez could have become angry and bitter and ambitious to satisfy his feelings of selfworthlessness.  But he didn't.  Remember, the Bible starts by saying that "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers." (verse 9) What that means to me is that before he prayed, Jabez was already living a life of obedience to God.

What the Prayer of Jabez teaches us is that the Lord will bless us if we are honorable.  However, we must ask the Lord to bless us so that His name, not ours, is glorified. Jabez did not just ask God to bless him.  Jabez asked that the Lord continue to guide his life.  Jabez knew that it was not enough to receive the Lord's blessing - he needed the Lord's continued guidance and direction.  Jabez knew that even within his blessing that there were going to be challenges, trials and tribulations.  And he also knew that in order to thrive, he would continue to need the Lord's help.

So how can Jabez's prayer help us all live a New Life in the New Year?  Well, first we have to strive to be honorable.  We have to be obedient to God's Word in all things.  If there are any areas of our life where we are disobedient to God's Will, let this year be when we become who God wants us to be.  It will not be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.

The story of Jabez demonstrates to all of us that it doesn't matter how we start out.  Through our obedience to God, and for His purpose, we can achieve anything.  Let us all make 2012 the year that God grants us our request - not for our own selfish reasons, but to glorify the name of the Lord. We should ask ourselves these questions: 

• Am I living a life of honor?  If the answer is No, what must I do to live an honorable life? 
• What does enlarging my territory mean in my life?

This year we should focus on how we can serve the Kingdom of God more?  Enlarging our territory does not necessarily mean increasing our financial wealth.  Enlarging our territory could mean expanding the number of people we witness our faith to, or increasing our volunteer efforts, or simply strengthening our personal relationship with God.

The Holy Spirit guides us in the way we should go.  All we have to do is abide by what the Holy Spirit is telling us, and 2012 will lead us to a New Life!!