Saturday 18 February 2006

Jabez was more honourable

“And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” - 1 Chronicles 4v9-10

A few years ago someone came across this mention of a man in the list of names and decided that he had found a pain free way to success in what you wanted. Pray the prayer of Jabez for thirty days and watch God give you success in whatever area you are praying about. Unfortunately that idea has taken away from some of the real truths to be found here.

The Bible says that Jabez was more honourable than his brethren. Out of this huge list of names Jabez’ sticks out because he was an honourable man, because he had the faith to call upon the Lord, and because the Lord granted his requests.

Jabez asked God to bless him, the increase his land holdings, that God’s hand might be with him, and that he would be kept from evil. All of these are requests that we might incorporate into our prayers if we do so in an honourable way. Jabez was an honourable man who prayed honourable prayer and God heard him and answered. Whenever that happens we should pay attention.

There is no secret formula for success here, but there is an example of how an honourable man prays.

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