THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
After my son had been in college a few weeks, he sent me a letter.
"Dear Dad, I'm making good grade$. Gue$$ what I need mo$t!"
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________SCRIPTURE_____________________________________________________
1 Chron 4:9-10
9 And Jabez was more honourable 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.
KJV
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_______THOUGHT_________________________________________________________
Here, in the middle of a long lineage, are two verses that communicate a tremendous message.
Note Jabez' prayer.
He asked three things:
"..enlarge my coast, ... be with me, .... keep me from evil..."
In humbleness, Jabez asked God to make his family large and influential.
He also asked that God would "be with" him; or, that Jabez would KNOW God's presence in his life.
And, he asked that God would keep him from evil, and keep evil from him; because he knew evil (sin) brought "grief."
One cannot help but notice also that God "granted him that which he requested!"
God is in the prayer-answering business.
We would do well to model our prayers after Jabez.
With humbleness, in sincerity and simplicity, asking God and determining to follow His will in our lives.
Love ya,
Bruce