The Prayer of Jabez, Part Two

Here is the study guide for today's message "The Prayer of Jabez, Part Two":

Text: 1 Chronicles 4: 9-10

"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 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)

Open:

Do you really need God? If God turned his back on you today and walked away, what would it change in your life?

Despite his dismal prospects in life, Jabez rose above by pleading with and clinging desperately to God.  And God was pleased with his display of utter dependence.

Last week we learned that blessings come to those who ask ("Oh, that you would bless me"), and that God wants you to have enhanced influence ("enlarge my territory").  

Bruce Wilkinson writes that at first glance, the four requests of Jabez may strike you as sincere, sensible, even noble, but not terribly remarkable.  Yet, on closer examination we detect something supernatural at work here.  Jabez wanted a life that only God could produce.

I. God Desires Dependent Children.

"Oh, that your hand would be with me"

1. This is called dependence.

- "Actually, the second you're not feeling dependent is the second you've backed away from truly living by faith." (John Mitchell)

2. Dependence makes heroes of ordinary people.

- As God's children, we are expected to attempt something large enough that failure is guaranteed--unless God steps in.

- "For the Christian, dependence is just another word for power." (Bruce Wilkinson)

3. The 'hand of the Lord' is a biblical term referring to God's power and presence in the lives of his people.

"He did this so that all the people's of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful." (Joshua 4:24)

II. God Protects Desperate People.

"Oh, that you would keep me from evil."

1. This is a plea for God to protect from Satan's power to destroy us. (1 Peter 5:8)

2. The more you experience God's power in your life, the more familiar you will become with Satanic counter attack.

3. The cross stands as the greatest symbol of victory over the evil one.

Close:

"So God granted him what he requested."

Wow! Jabez dared to plead for blessings, enlarged ministry, God's supernatural presence and protection, and God said "Yes!"

Asking for God's blessings, enlarged ministry, prsence & protection is not selfish -- it is entirely in keeping with God's desire and delight for you.

(Dane Fowlkes, Pastor)