Today's reading seemed to drag us through a long list of names. Most of the names seemed quite insignificant as I pushed myself through, but when I reached 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, I had to stop. After reading name after name, here was someone who had desired something in his relationship with God that the writer had to stop & take note of.
I had to stop & think, looking at my life, if someone was recording my name in a genealogy would there be any reason to take special note of something in my life. Not even an accomplishment of some kind (as great as that would be), but to be so honoured to be noted for my faith.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10-
Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me & enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, & keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
Jabez was noted for his prayer, the desire of his heart. It doesn't go on to speak of any great, notable accomplishments, it just simply says “And God granted his request.”
We don't know what kind of blessings he received; I guess that shouldn't really matter because we know that God blessed him & that should be enough. But is it? When we think of blessings, what do they look like? Health, wealth, lots of friends, being great at sports, having the perfect figure? Somehow I don't think those were the blessings on Jabez’s heart. He truly desired God, that He would be the center of his life. When that's truly our hearts desire, our focus adjusts from things that are valued on earth to things of eternal value.
My desire is that as I pray for God’s blessings, for Him to enlarge my territory, that I would completely give it all over to Him (my family, our health, jobs & recreation; everything). That I would truly make Him Lord over every area of my life & then let my faith in Him rest in knowing that He will bless me as he sees fit. That ultimately my focus will adjust from what I see as important now to what I know will be important eternally.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Chronicles 7-9
2 comments:
Good point, I too want to place high value on eternal blessings, over things that are valued on earth.
Good thoughts. It also mentioned that Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. Are we known for being honourable?
On the flip side.....
Some of Ham’s descendants had been living in that region. 41 But during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, these leaders of Simeon invaded the region and completely destroyed[u] the homes of the descendants of Ham and of the Meunites. No trace of them remains today. They killed everyone who lived there and took the land for themselves, because they wanted its good pastureland for their flocks.
People do evil things because of greed. We need to be careful not to put too much value on material things.
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