RISING FROM PAIN TO GAIN
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1Chron. 4:9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 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 keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
JABEZ WAS LABELED.. BY HIS MOTHER OF ALL PEOPLE! Some spend their entire lives trying to remove the stigma of what they’ve been labeled as. Imagine every time someone heard your name, they associated your name with “pain!” How terrible! How many young people have taken their own lives because they were bullied and tagged with some derogatory nick name or label! Many easily surrender to discouragement or a sick feeling of worthlessness. Words are very powerful and they can bring life or death! (Proverbs. 18:21) Words penetrate to the core of our entire being! (Proverbs 18:8)
I believe, for some of you reading this, that it’s your time to rise above your label!
10 AND JABEZ CALLED ON THE GOD OF ISRAEL SAYING, “OH, THAT YOU WOULD BLESS ME INDEED!”
#1) JABEZ ROSE ABOVE THE LABEL! He did so by crying out to God to bless him! He called on the right one! God has always specialized in raising to new life, all those that call on Him! He asked God to bless him! He believed in the goodness and faithfulness of God and exercised his belief by praying in faith!
..AND ENLARGE MY TERRITORY
#2) JABEZ ROSE ABOVE THE LAX! In his asking for more territory he was putting himself in a place to take on more responsibility. So many are satisfied with just enough to survive. Laziness can seem to rule the day for so many! I believe you, as a believer and follower of Christ, have not yet scratched the surface of how God longs to expand your sphere of influence and impact! However, we must rise above the label of lax! It is time to pray and work hard to expand God’s Kingdom through your Holy Spirit led endeavors!
..THAT YOUR HAND WOULD BE WITH ME
#3) JABEZ ROSE ABOVE THE LIMITATIONS! Know assuredly, that when the hand of Lord is placed upon your life, the power of God is going to begin to flow to you and through you! Seeking first the Kingdom of God should be our strongest passion in life! Do you long to have some role in the expanding of God’s Kingdom in this world? If so, you can be certain that God will supply all the things you have need of! No one that puts their heart, soul and strength into the Kingdom of God will ever suffer lack indefinitely. Yes! You will have trials and afflictions but the Lord will deliver you from them all in His perfect time!
..AND THAT YOU WOULD KEEP ME FROM EVIL, THAT I MAY NOT CAUSE PAIN!"
#4) JABEZ ROSE ABOVE THE LUKEWARM! Jabez recognized that he could not mix with sin. He was wise enough to know that compromising with evil would destroy the good that he could receive and also the good that he could give. This was the cry of his heart and he did not want to be halfway, lukewarm or complacent in his living. He did not want to cause God or anyone else any more pain!
..SO GOD GRANTED HIM WHAT HE REQUESTED
#5) JABEZ ROSE TO LEAVE A LEGACY!
Should it not be our hearts cry also, to be re-labeled by God, that is? God labels us or calls us: HIS FRIEND (Jn. 15:15), HIS MASTERPIECE (EPH. 2:10), HIS TREASURE (DEUT. 7:6), HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS (2COR. 6:8), HIS BELOVED (SONG 2:16) Friend, that is some pretty impressive labeling when you consider the source! Is it not?
JABEZ ROSE TO LEAVE A LEGACY! YOU AND I CAN RISE ABOVE MAN MADE LABELS AND LEAVE A GOD MADE LEGACY FOR THOSE THAT COME BEHIND US! LET’S DO!
Every blessing!
—Tom