I Chronicles 4:9
Jabez's prayer, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, is a powerful example of how to pray effectively and receive God's blessings.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of Jabez's prayer in I Chronicles 4:9, highlighting how Jabez, despite his sorrowful name, became notable for his deep prayer life. He made four key requests to God: for blessings, for an enlarged territory, for God's hand to be with him, and for protection from evil. Smith points out that true prayer is directed to the God of Israel and that personal petitions are valid and necessary. Ultimately, he reassures that God desires to bless and guide those who earnestly seek Him.
Text
"THE PRAYER OF JABEZ"
Intro: Jabez means sorrow. Rather mean name to tag on a kid. His mother
bare him with sorrow. Perhaps a birth defect. Sorrow often
creates a depth of character, forces one to pray.
I. "AND JABEZ CALLED ON THE GOD OF ISRAEL."
A. In a long listing of names suddenly one stands out for
special mention -- Jabez.
1. He was a man of prayer.
2. Men of prayer often noteworthy, they make things
happen.
3. This shows how twisted are our values today.
a. The world honors men who publish porno
magazines.
1. Men who help corrupt and break down
morals.
b. God honors men who pray.
B. Note to whom he prayed. "The God of Israel."
1. Prayer is a part of every religious system.
a. The prophets of Baal prayed.
b. To say, "I pray" is meaningless.
1. To whom do you pray? God?
2. Who is your God? When you say
God, who are you addressing?
II. HIS FOUR REQUESTS.
A. "Bless me indeed."
1. One school of thought declares that you should
never pray for anything personal.
a. A pseudo humility -- "It's not right to
bother God with my problems."
b. God bless America, and the birds.
2. I need God's blessings.
a. I don't deserve them -- grace.
b. Personal petitions in the model prayer
given to us by Jesus. "Give us this day...
B. "Enlarge my coast."
1. Broaden my horizons.
a. We often tend to narrow our horizons.
1. Narrow circle of friends.
2. Narrow views.
3. Narrow interests.
2. "For God so loved the world."
a. Give me a concern for more than just my
family or my church.
b. We have tendencies to draw narrow circles.
3. The first petition could be wrong if not followed
by second.
C. "That Thy hand might be with me."
1. How I need the hand of God on my life.
a. Moses said, "If you don't go with me,
then don't send me."
b. Apart from Him, I can do nothing.
2. The prophet said to King Asa, "The Lord is with
you while you'll be with Him..."
3. The hand of God is a symbol of power, guidance,
protection, anointing.
D. "Keep me from evil."
1. It will rob me of His blessings.
2. It will narrow my vision.
3. It will cause God to remove His hand.
4. The Lord incorporated this in His model prayer.
"Deliver us from evil."
5. "That it would not grieve me."
a. This is a true view of the end result of
evil in my life.
b. Many associate evil with pleasure,
excitement, fun.
III. "AND GOD GRANTED HIM THAT WHICH HE REQUESTED."
A. "And we know that if we ask anything according to His will..."
B. It is God's will to bless you, enlarge your vision, hand upon
you, and keep you from evil.
Sermon Outline
- The Prayer of Jabez points: - Jabez was a man of prayer - Men of prayer often noteworthy, they make things happen
- Jabez's Four Requests points: - Bless me indeed - Enlarge my coast - That Thy hand might be with me - Keep me from evil
- God's Response to Jabez's Prayer points: - God granted Jabez that which he requested - It is God's will to bless you, enlarge your vision, hand upon you, and keep you from evil
Key Quotes
“Men of prayer often noteworthy, they make things happen.” — Chuck Smith
“It is God's will to bless you, enlarge your vision, hand upon you, and keep you from evil.” — Chuck Smith
“Apart from Him, I can do nothing.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We need to pray for God's blessings in our lives, not just for ourselves, but for others as well.
- We should strive to have a broad vision, including a concern for the world and its needs.
- We need to recognize the importance of God's hand in our lives and ask for His guidance, protection, and power.