Today's Scripture
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: 1 Chronicles 3-5 (CEB)
9 Jabez was more honored than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I bore him in pain.”[g] 10 Jabez called on Israel’s God: “If only you would greatly bless me and increase my territory. May your power go with me to keep me from trouble, so as not to cause me pain.” And God granted his request.
Devotion
What Does the passage Mean to Me/US?
I do have to say, I have trouble with the ‘Jabez prayer.’
I do agree with how God can bless one’s life and turn misery into a blessing. The literal meaning of Jabez is ‘make sorrowful.’
It is a tough life when your mother names you ‘sorrowful.’ Jabez asks for God’s blessing and God’s grant the blessing.
The reason I have trouble follows; ‘so what?’
Through the short verse, it is impossible to know how Jabez used his blessing for others.
Even though I have faith that he used his blessings to be faithful to his call to bless other, I am disappointed when we only ask for the half of the story.
We are to ask for God’s blessings in our lives, but for what? To bless others.
Be a blessing to this world today.
Prayer
Lord, show us who you are sending us to be a blessing today. In Christ name, we pray, AMEN.
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