“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.” 1 Chronicles 4:10 ESV
I’m a big fan of Disney movies. When Aladdin was released, I thought the concept of having a magical genie that would grant me three wishes was awesome. There’s no waiting period, you know you’ll get exactly what you ask for (for better or worse!), and the wish has permanency unless someone else wishes your wish away. What could be wrong with that?!?
As I’ve grown a bit, I’m really grateful that I have a God who is so much better than a genie! He won’t keep anything good from me, and He’ll ensure that I am ready to receive the good gifts He has for me even if it means waiting longer. (“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11)
Jabez is a pretty minor character in the Bible encapsulating only a few verses, yet his legacy lives on because of his request and its fulfillment. We do know that Jabez is listed in the lineage of the kings of Judah. Like him, we too, are royalty because of our co-heirship with Jesus Christ, the son of the Most High King. So, if Jabez the son of a king can make his requests known to God, what’s stopping you, son or daughter of the Almighty, from petitioning Him in prayer?
The Bible puts it plainly: “…You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:2b-3 NIV) There’s a reason the Bible is considered truth! While God is no genie, granting us wishes at our very command, He does promise to grant our requests according to His will because he always hears us! (1 John 5:14-15, Psalm 17:6)
Reflection
How comfortable am I in making my requests to God? Are my motives pure when I pray? Am I willing to wait for the answer according to God’s timing? What’s holding me back in being bold in my requests to Him?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for always hearing me when I pray. Purify my heart and empower me to make bold requests of You trusting that You hear me and will answer better than any genie wish can deliver. Help me to never give up and always bring my wants and cares to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash
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