DAY 3: A LIFE OF GROWTH AND BLESSING
Yesterday, we looked at the power of church community. Today, we turn to the example of a guy who refused to settle for the hand life had dealt him but instead cried out to God in a bold prayer. His name was Jabez, and his story challenges me to consider who I’m becoming and what my story will be.
Jabez features in only two verses of the Bible, yet this short summary of his life gives us the measure of him. We read in 1 Chronicles 4:9–10 (NKJV): “Now Jabez was more honourable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I borehim 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 keepme from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.”
The first thing we learn is that Jabez was honourable, even though he didn’t have a great start in life. His mother burdened him with a name that means “causer of pain”. Yet Jabez rose above his circumstances and made the best choice possible: he turned to God. Jabez asked God to bless him, help him grow, be with him, and prevent him from going down wrong paths.Basically, Jabez prayed for a different trajectory, and God granted his request.
Here are a few things you can do to pave the way for growth and blessing in your own life.
1. Guard your heart.
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) says:“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”In the Bible, your “heart” refers to your inner being. If your inner life is unhealthy, it will begin to show outwardly, often in the way you speak. Jesus says, “What you say flows from what is in your heart.”(Luke 6:45 NLT). If your words have become increasingly negative or critical, it’s time to check the condition of your heart.
So, how do you guard your heart? Seek God, like Jabez did. Spend daily time with Him. Unburden yourself in His presence, which is always available to you, and allow Him to refresh you (see Matthew 11:28). I love the opening line of the Hillsong Worship song, “Yahweh Great I AM” – “We approach the presence of God with a humble, confident heart.” It reminds me of Hebrews 4:16 (NLT): “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
2. Don’t settle.
Remind yourself that your life has purpose. Pray bold prayers. Jabez had the audacity to ask God to enlarge his territory. Then challenge yourself to keep growing and maturing to handle the expanded territory God has for you.
3. Build healthy friendships.
Who’s in your corner? Do you have a circle of trusted friends? We need each other to help us maintain perspective, face the challenges, and keep showing up when it matters the most. Healthy friendships reduce stress, encourage us, and keep us grounded.
The Bible describes Jabez as more honourable than his brothers. Honour is all about how you handle relationships. Jabez obviously handled them well, and it benefitted him. Be a good, honourable friend to those around you. Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) says: “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
I encourage you, pray powerful prayers for godly growth, enlarged territory, and God’s blessing in your life. But at the same time, position yourself to receive from God by seeking Him, following His guidance, and making wise choices a way of life.
As we keep aligning our lives with God – His ways and His good plans for us – I pray that, like Jabez, we’ll be able to say that God granted our requests.
Sep 18 2024
