Prayer of Jabez

Turning place to 1 Chronicles chapter 4. And like Marvin, I'll tell you my name is George Patterson. Mostly unknown, but I come from Canada. So, we're going to look at 1 Chronicles chapter 4. And we're going to read about another little prayer like we heard in the beginning.

Verse 9, 1 Chronicles 4, verse 9. And Javis was more honorable than his brethren. And his mother called his name Javis, saying, Because I bear him with sorrow. And Javis called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that thou wouldst bless me indeed.

And our dear brother read, Bless thine inheritance. Feed them also and lift them up forever. Oh, that thou wouldst bless me indeed.

And enlarge my coach. And that thine hand might be with me. And that thou wouldst keep me from evil.

That it may not grieve me. And God granted him that which he requested. Short prayer, but it was answered.

And it's not likely that any Javis is here today. But the dear man is praying. You know, I was thinking in this little verse.

And if you were to go back to chapter 1. And read down through all those big names. And you could go on down to chapter 2. And you could go on through to chapter 9 likely. And over and over again, we get all those big names.

And like what the old woman said. And she said, if George was to read them, likely none of them would call their names out. Like he would, wouldn't any of them come.

So, we're not going to do that. But you know, I learned a little something. And we practice it in the home.

That when you're reading the Scriptures. And you're reading down through those big names. And so on.

And you don't seem to get anything out of it. Well, just keep on reading. Don't stop.

Keep on reading. And you'll surely come to the sweetest little nugget. That you could get anywhere.

If you keep on doing it. Don't stop when you're just reading big names. And so on.

And that's true in this little portion here. Right out of the blue, we get introduced to a man. And then, two verses takes care of that.

And then he fades out of the picture. And I don't think you ever read about him again. So, a praise.

He was more honorable. And we'll try and look at why he might have been more honorable. But, he called his name Javis.

Saying, because I bear him with sorrow. And I don't know whether it was some big troubled sorrow or whatever it was. And that happened to them.

But, she gave him a rare name. And Javis called on the name of God. Saying, O that thou wouldst bless me indeed.

You know, reminded the blessing of the Lord. It maketh rich. And it addeth no sorrow.

And I hope there's none here that wouldn't want the blessing of the Lord. I tell you, to be blessed of the Lord is really something. O that thou wouldst bless me indeed.

That thine hand might be with me. Well, you know, dear David, that we've been hearing about. Brother Orr spoke on him.

And, dear David, the scripture says about him. When Saul needed someone to play that instrument to him. One could tell him there's one.

And he's a cunning player. A mighty, violent man. That's not what boys and girls sing about only a lad called David.

No, David wasn't just a little fellow like that. A mighty, violent man. A man of war.

Prudent in matters. A comely person. And the Lord is with him.

The Lord is with him. I tell you, it's wonderful when we try to do something. And the Lord's in it.

The Lord is with him. So, God help you and I to realize that the Lord himself said without me you can do nothing. But I tell you, Paul could say I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

And you go way back to Joshua and that victory of that wall going down. We spoke a little about it yesterday. And I can tell you this much.

That captain of the host told them what to do. And that first victory at Jericho. And that wall went down.

But the word to that man Joshua was the big general to be strong. And of good courage. Be strong and of good courage.

And the Lord was with him all right. And his victory. And you know the victory it was right.

But when victory comes. We're not long to receive defeat. When they didn't check with the captain of the host.

They just send up a few. Wouldn't be necessary. But 36 lie dead.

I tell you we need the Lord with us in whatever we're doing. So the Lord help us. To trust in the Lord.

And to see the Lord with us in what we do. And that thou wouldst keep me from the evil. And I don't know what you think about the evil.

But it's good to be kept from the evil. I tell you there's a lot of it wherever we go and whatever you look at. And whether it's your old computer or whatever it might be.

The devil's busy. And not everyone gets tripped up on it. So we need to pray.

That thou wouldst keep me from the evil. But I wouldn't doubt it. But the evil in this case was.

That the others had settled down. And this man was more honorable than his brethren. They had settled down.

I wouldn't doubt it. But old J.V.'s was likely thinking on. On old Jacob I should say.

J.V.'s was thinking on. And he was thinking on that dream that he had. And that vision.

And how the Lord said to him. The land were on thy liest. To thee will I give it.

And so God was going to give it to him. Well then Israel was to go into that land. And Joshua was leading them into victory there.

Go into the land and possess it. Much land yet to be possessed. That thou wouldst bless me.

And enlarge my kosh. I wonder. Do you ever pray about.

Enlargement of kosh. I tell you it's something that. Would do well to pray about.

There is a lot of empty seats here today. Isn't there? Be nice to see them all filled. But what about our little assemblies.

Throughout the land. What about. Whole states.

Where there's no testimony. Is there a need for those. That would have a heart for the poor.

Perish in the loss. On the way to hell. And that you'd be exercised about these places.

Montana wherever it would be. And that God would work. And that there would be souls saved.

I don't know. It's very seldom we ever hear anymore. Of an assembly being planted.

A work for God being planted. Being done. So I hope that there'll be.

An exercise with young men. Older ones also. To get at it for God.

I sat away over in Ireland one time. I went over to have meetings there. And I sat in a home.

And there was. Three elders there I discovered. From three different other assemblies.

And the dear man that I was staying with. Was from the one that I was at. So.

I looked at them. The four of them. And I thought it was a good opportunity.

I said to them. Brethren. I would like a little help today.

I would like you to tell me. How many assemblies. Would be within.

A hundred miles of. Where we're sitting. No.

Within ten miles I asked them. Not a hundred. They started to figure up.

And they knew their area. And they knew the assembly that came from. And how many was in it.

And I got my pen out quick. And I put it down. Thirteen.

Assemblies. Within ten mile radius. Of where we were sitting.

Did that tell you something? I wasn't satisfied. I said. Could you men tell me.

As best you can. As near as you can. How many would be in those thirteen assemblies altogether.

How many would be in each of those assemblies. Well in such a place there's seventy five. There's fifty in that one.

There's thirty in that one. And down the line it went. And I added them all up.

Eight hundred believers. In assembly fellowship. Within ten mile radius.

Of where I was sitting. I came up to Dark Door County. Jerry knows where that is.

And I came up there. A good many years ago. Back in eighty eight.

And. We went a long ways. And then to go from there.

To break bread. It wasn't ten miles away. It was several hundred miles away.

So we didn't break bread. We preached six nights. Seven nights a week.

And kept at it. But. The reason I mention that is.

When we think on. The work being done over there in Ireland. Within ten mile radius.

Thirteen assemblies planted. Going on for God. It tells me this much.

There was labor put into them. There was men that had a heart for the lost. And the perishing.

Where would we get a place like that in. The great United States of America. Within ten mile radius of you.

Thirteen assemblies. I also listened to. An old.

Man preaching to their. And a conference like this. Over in Scotland.

And I heard him say to them. Those Scots people. He said you man.

You Scots man. And I don't want to insult any of you Scots men. If you'd be here.

But. I don't mind telling you. You Scots man.

He said. He was a man named Mr. Condick. Might have been an English man.

He said you Scots men are good at teaching. You like to teach the people. And you sort of.

Look down your nose at the little Irish man. Just a simple little soul. Good in the gospel you know.

But. He said I want to tell you Scots men something. If you don't get down to business in the gospel.

And try and reach the lost and the perishing. You'll soon have nobody to teach. You like to go over to Ireland.

And teach those two or three thousand. On Easter conference day. You like to get over there.

But he said get at it in the gospel. I wonder are we. Oh that thou would bless me indeed.

And enlarge my coach. There's a big need for it brethren. Go into all the world.

And herald the gospel. To every creature. How much.

Gospel work is going on in Montana. Humbles us doesn't it. To think that.

Little testimonies gathered to the Lord's name. I often think on that little land of Palestine. And the Lord's eyes upon it.

From the rising of the sun to the going down. My eyes upon that little land. Somebody said prove to me that the Bible is true.

He said I could do it in one word to you. Israel. That's true alright.

And there's that little nation. Over there and so many enemies around it. But I can tell you this much about it.

God's eye is upon it. And there's a future for Israel. In a day to come.

But I want you to think on how much more. God's eye is upon. Little testimonies gathered to the Lord's name.

And they're small. But thank God for that little word. To those churches.

That was the little strength. You have not denied my name. A little strength.

Thank God for them. We just left Ontario Canada. I looked at the wife one day.

She had turned 80 years of age. That's getting an old woman you know. And the old man was 85.

And I said we won't be going too much more. And I couldn't help but think about Little Ague Harbor way up in northern Wisconsin. And those dear saints struggling.

I thought I'd like to go back one more time and see and try and help them. I'm glad I did. It was a nice Lord's Day.

Broke bread. And it was nice to see them. Some not long saved.

To see them growing in grace. And going on for God. One dear man not too long saved.

Some young fellow came up. I don't know who he was. He might even be here.

And God bless you if you are. He went up and he gives them a little word. And it touched that young man up there's heart.

And he began to think. And he said to somebody, What's the matter with me? Why am I so stupid? And why am I this and that? If that young fellow and he's only a year saved. It would be good to keep going.

Isn't it for good? Then I left up and stayed there the Sunday and remembered the Lord. And preached the gospel there. And then we came.

On the Monday night we had a ministry meeting. And it was nice to see. A good number out.

More than I've seen for a long time up there. Somebody said dry preachers need lots of water. But that's good to have a little drop of water and you get dry.

Anyway. The Monday night meeting. I looked the little audience over.

And there was four. That once sat in that little assembly. Enjoying the Lord.

Breaking bread every Sunday morning. Remembering the Lord. Cold in heart.

And away from God. Another one. Wanted to be wakened up.

She was not well at all. Wanted to be wakened up in time. For she too wanted to go.

Come out to that meeting on Monday night. So five that once remembered the Lord. Wanted to be in that little meeting.

And I tried to help them and encourage them. Before I left every one of them give me a good big hug. As they do up there.

And I whispered to each one of them. Get right with God and get back into God's little assembly. And appreciate it.

Some said I want to be there. I want to be in. Another one said I know it's right.

I know it's right. I want to tell you there's nothing equal. In God's assembly.

To be gathered. To that precious name. Outside the religious confusion of the world.

Oh that thou would bless me indeed. And enlarge my course. And not only enlarge his course.

But that thou would keep me from the evil. That it may not grieve me. I wonder does the evil around.

Even looking at the old magazines. When you're going to pay your bill at the grocery store. Or whatever it is.

You can't help but be grieved. And the same with the come up some old filth on the computer. Do you look at it? I told somebody I don't see any filth in mine.

Or don't look at it. We've got to be careful in a dark, dark day. That it wouldn't grieve me.

And God granted him. His request. God granted him.

His request. Isn't it good? When you get an answer to your prayers. Maybe there's someone here today praying.

And you're praying for your loved ones. Not saved. Keep on praying.

There's a lot of unanswered prayer yet. So keep on praying. Maybe some that's dead and gone.

There's a lot of unanswered prayer there. And we need to see answers to our prayers. Thank God.

Even though we're weak little companies gathered to the Lord's name. I want to tell you there's nothing to equal it. On their God's heaven.

Sometimes when we're out there in Egg Harbor. And we'd slip back home again. After not breaking bread for several weeks.

I was sitting over in my little corner. And I'd look over at the table. And I'd see the cup and the bread on the table.

And the tears would run down my cheeks. Missed it. So I hope that each one.

If you're here today. That you'll want to seek to live for the best of masters. Here's a man, J.B.'s. And his prayer.

Touched my heart as I read it. Oh that thou would bless me indeed. And enlarge my coast.

And keep me from the evil. God answers his prayer. So the Lord help us.

And stir our little hearts. To seek to live. For that blessed one.

Till we hear that shout. I don't believe it will be long. I believe that everything around us indicates.

His coming. His near. And brother's little message.

The last verse. Touched my heart a little bit. Bless thy people.

Lift them up forever. I tell you I love that orbit. God manifest in flesh.

Justified in the spirit. Seen of angels. Preached unto the Gentiles.

Believed on in the world. And received up into glory. That's a good orbit.

And thank God one of these days. Every born again soul. Is going to lift off for the glory.

That it might not grieve us. I believe with all my heart. That sin is such when we get to that judgment seat.

That we heard about. That won't be brought up like that. It's been taken care of in the sacrifice of Christ.

But that little life of yours and mine. From the day God saved us. Till the day we die or hear that shout.

Is going to be reviewed. And while I don't believe there will be tears in heaven. Because it would be tragic.

If you could picture your family. If they never got saved. Down in hell.

It said break your heart. You wouldn't see them as. Sons and daughters then.

I don't believe. You'd see them as people that refused. And rejected the Savior.

And wouldn't trust him. But I want to tell you. If you serve the Lord.

That little life of yours. It's going to be well worthwhile. I wonder about it now.

Just before we close. That Peter could speak about. The rest of the life.

How would it be lived? Paul could speak about it too. The rest of the time. You can't do much about the past.

It's gone now. But you could do something about the little while that's left. Yesterday we spoke a little about.

Philippians 121. For me to live as Christ. I wonder what is it for you to live.

But I can tell you this much. If you're living for Christ. It's going to pay off.

Oh that day to hear. From the lips of the Lord himself. One with nailed pierced hands and feet.

To hear from his lips. Well done. It would make it worthwhile wouldn't it? Years ago they used to tell the old story in a lot of conferences.

About the young runner that could run so fast and so on. And all through the school year he was there. And he was watching what he would eat.

The rest could eat their junk food. But not him. And he was out on that track.

Practicing all he could. And then the moment came when the race was run. And that dear man came in first.

Dear lad and they said to him. What? What was the highlight of the race? Was it when you touched the ribbon? It was when the master said. Well done.

Well done. I wonder. Are we working at it brother? For me to live is what? Make money.

Get a good position. Get a good education. And I don't despise it.

I wish I had some. That would be a good help to me. But to live for Christ is more valuable than anything else.

And you are only getting one run at it. There will be no second. There will be no rerun at it whatsoever.

And it's only the one life. And it will soon be past. And it's only what's done.

For Christ it will last. But oh to hear from him. Well done.

So I hope we'll seek to win for it. I should tell you this much. Toronto, a few months after I got saved.

I was walking along the streets of Toronto. Somebody had taken me to a conference. My first conference in Canada.

And I looked through a store window of a book room. And I saw a little sign. Very small.

Only one life. It will soon be past. Only what's done.

For Christ will last. And as I looked through that window and saw that little sign. I had never read it before.

But it touched my young heart. And I said I'm going to buy that thing. But the store was closed.

Opened at 1 o'clock and they're there at 12. I walked up and down the sidewalk for a good hour. And I went in and bought that little text.

Only one life. It will soon be past. Then I got a little bit more of a poem of the same thing.

Somebody added a little more to it. And that was nice. The lady took and framed it up for me very, very nicely.

And I had it hanging on my dining room wall. And one day I was entertaining a little preacher. Likely here sometime.

Philip Harding. And Mr. Harding was sitting looking at it. And he read it.

And he said, George, would you mind if I copied that little poem down? I said, no, go ahead. I like that. And I told him my story about how I couldn't pass it when I first saw it.

Two weeks later I think it was. I got an e-mail letter from him. And he had it quite long.

The whole poem that was advertised in the Truth in Titans a good many years ago. So he sent it all to me in a little paper. A little air mail letter.

And he said, I have added some more verses. I've changed some words to make it rhyme better. And I tell you it was a good thing.

And then I went back again to the lady that framed it up for me. And I gave it to her again. I said, what could you do with this air mail letter? And she took that coffee that we often see around.

And a lighthouse on the side of it. And that poem in full. All those verses.

And I tell you if it don't touch your heart and stir you to want to do something for the Lord, you should get it and do it. I read it one time at a conference out in western Canada. And there were a lot of young people sitting there.

And they said, could I get a copy of that? And I said, I've only got the one copy that I carry with me in my Bible. But I've lots of them at home. They said, well, could we borrow that copy? And I said, sure, you're welcome to it.

And out went one of those young person over to Staples or wherever they went. And the next thing I knew was I looked around and I saw these young fellows go along. Handing out all these copies of Only One Life will soon be passed.

And I tell you it touched my heart. And one night come, the house I was staying with, they had all those young people in for a sing. And then they said, George, I'll speak to you now.

And I tell you it touched my heart. And I was glad to be able to speak a little word to them and to encourage them to live their little life that's left. And they have a life to live.

Not like an old fellow that might only have a few days to live. But a life to live for the Lord. Grin for it, brethren.

Only One Life. Make the best of it. Live for God.

I hope you leave the conference today with a desire in your heart. It's not going to be a life for self. It's going to be a life for Christ.

Until that shout is given and we rise to meet him.