"Jabez"

Okay, so I must admit, last night I was searching for a book to read and with my growing list of "already reads" I am getting motivated to read faster and faster. I've found a joy in consuming good books. Well as my fingers and eyes skimmed my book pile, I came to a small, tiny book titled "The PRAYER of JABEZ" by Bruce Wilkinson. I decided I might as well read this one. It seemed small enough and I could probably get through it in a day or two depending on how much reading time I was able to find.

Well folks, let me say I am 1/2 way through this book and it had already caused me to long for Jesus and His blessings like never before. Never has a book truly broken me and right now I feel feeble, weak and ready to pray for God's strength. I want God to bless me a lot. This idea is stressed through a simple 2 verse passage in the Bible, found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.

"9There was a man named Jabez who was more distinguished than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. 10He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and extend my lands! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request."

It truly amazes me that in the midst of a long, tiresome list of the Hebrew tribes with something around 500+ names that this little short passage would be there to remind us that God wishes to bless us, all we need to do is ask. He longs and desires for us to ask Him to empower us to expand His kingdom. I love how Bruce Wilkinson stresses the importance of how random these verses are " The long list of unfamiliar and difficult names-more than five hundred of them- are likely to make even the bravest Bible student turn back. Take chapter 4. (lists several names)---I'd forgive you if you suddenly considered putting this little book aside and reaching for your TV remote. But stay with me. Because forty-four names into the chapter, a story suddenly breaks through..."(1 Chron. 4:9-10).

"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."

This very short two verse passage, which I admittedly have never read, has encouraged me in an unexplainable way.
I need to step out and pursue God in a way unlike ever before. I need to ask Him to bless me a lot and allow Him to work through my life, not around it or for my convenience. I need to step out of my scardy-cat closet and let Jesus use me. I need to ! I will! I will! Iwill! I'm falling on my knees and asking You LORD to use me! Use me! Enlarge my territory. Jesus I need You, I can't do this on my own, it's too big and I am too small.Mmay Your hand be with me, keep me from evil.

I leave you with this passage on p.49 of the book:
" If seeking God's blessings is our ultimate act of worship, and asking to do more for Him is our utmost ambition, then asking for God's hand upon us is our strategic choice to sustain and continue the great things that God has begun in our lives. That's why you could call God's hand on you "the touch of greatness." You do not become great; you become dependent on the strong hand of God. You surrendered need turns into His unlimited opportunity. And He becomes great through you."