Ministering: Senior Pastor Shola Awobajo.
Text: 1 Chron. 4:9-10.
” 9 And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 10 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.“
It is the Intervention of God that changes the destiny of any mortal man. Hannah called upon The God of Israel for intervention in her situation; God hearkened to her cry. From our above Text, God intervened in the life of Jabez and everything turned around for the better. From his birth he was destined to fail in life going by his name (Jabez – child of sorrow); but when he called upon The Lord God, he rose above all his distasteful situations.
As we are in the last Quarter of this Year, there is the need to call upon The Lord to intervene in our affairs. We do not want to remain on the same spot, for by Redemption, our path ought to be shinning brighter and brighter. Scripture tells us Jabez was more honorable than his brethren. This means God’s intervention is not arbitrary but based on our alignment to Scriptural principles.
Despite being honorable, he “Called Upon” The God of Israel. This means he was a man of Prayer. If there is any time our Prayer “thermostat” ought to be very high, it is now. What was the content of Jabez’s Prayer? ….“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.”
The limitations hindering many people are due to the workings of the powers of darkness. There is Power in The Word of God to destroy every work of darkness. This is why we cannot afford to be lazy students of The Word of God.
Isaiah 28:16 – Therefore thus says The Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily”. Jabez refused to end his life in shame, hence he took spiritual responsibility in the place of “Calling upon God” for intervention on his life.
Challenges are part and parcel of life, The Good News for every serious Believer is that, Christ died and rose to make us overcomers above any limitation in life; for greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Unto The Lord we lift up our souls, we trust Him not to let us be ashamed or let the enemy triumph over us.
Four Cardinal Points from Jabez’s Prayer
1. He Prayed for God to Bless him so all taproot of shame be uprooted from his life. Prov. 10:27, John 8:32.
2. He Prayed for God to Enlarge his coast. He prayed for expansion of territory (no more limitation).
3. He Prayed for God’s Hand to be with me.
4. He Prayed for God to keep him from all evil – 2 Thess. 3:3, Ezek. 34:3.
Enlargement is the antidote to every limitation. Continuous enlargement is our portion in Christ.
When Will Limitation Cease?
1. When you call upon God for help. Jer. 33:3
2. When you are tired of your position. Hannah in I Samuel 1
3. When you acknowledge your weakness (especially before The Lord). 2 Cor. 12:9-10
4. When you jettison all your self-righteousness and sins. Romans 6:1
In closing, Isaiah 55:6-7 – Seek The Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
God Bless You!
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