I was reading a couple of chapters in early
1 Chronicles, and to be honest, I wasn’t taking much of it in. The fact that the
sons of Shemaiah were Hattush, Igeal, Bariah, Neariah and Shaphat didn’t really
have any meaning to me. But then I came across these verses:
“And
Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name
Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of
Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast. And
that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldst keep me from evil, that
it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
In the middle of the genealogies of the
sons of Judah are these verses about a guy called Jabez. It doesn’t even say
who his father was, or who his sons were. And, this is the only time he’s
mentioned in the whole Bible. Yet look what it says about Jabez: he called on God,
and asked God to bless him, and be with him. God heard his prayer, and answered
it.
Maybe these verses are in the Bible to
remind us that God is there for us. He does hear and answer our prayers. He
will bless us, and be with us, and protect us. We only have to call on God,
like Jabez did.
“Why
should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the
key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the
boundless resources of Omnipotence?” STC 94.2
I love the Chronicles! I love the fact that I can be reading along through a bunch of unpronounceable names and then have a gem like that pop out and surprise me and put me into the middle of a story. 'And God granted him that which he requested...' Kind-of gives you excited shivers, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteBy the by, I'm not familiar with STC. What is that referencing?
Thanks for commenting! Is your love of Chronicles somehow linked with your blog name? And yes that sentence does give me shivers - like, it just states it so simply.
DeleteYes, STC - it's the abbreviation for a book, Steps to Christ. I shouldn't have abbreviated it really, as it's not common to everyone - I'll remember next time!
Actually, it's not intentionally connected at all...but it could be. Thanks for the clarification.
DeleteWell, I did need to read that because I've been wondering (or should I just be honest and say doubting) if He has been hearing my prayers lately. Sometimes life feels like a constant wrestling match..
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say, I doubt too. It is a constant wrestling match.. except we know Who will eventually win. Keep trusting Him.
Deletexxx