BLESS ME, O GOD
Jabez was more honorable 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 and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. —I Chronicles 4:9-10
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. —Psalm 5:3
Jabez’s prayer included—
- A desire for God to bless him
- A desire for God to enlarge his territory
- A desire for God’s hand to be with him
- A desire for God to keep him from harm
- A desire for God to keep him free from pain
What was the result of his prayer? We are told that God granted him his request. Oh, my Lord God Almighty. This is my prayer as well, but not for my honor and glory, but for Your honor and glory. You know my desire is to be more of an impact for You with the rest of my life in this world. May You be pleased to grant my request. Truly, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17). I know that what You have said is absolutely true— “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Lord God Almighty, I don’t believe there is some “magic formula” for this to happen. It will happen if You “establish the work of our hands for us.” If you do not, then it will not happen.
I know that I am “God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). I also know that Jesus “gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14). Oh, that I would be eager to do those works you have “prepared in advance for us to do.” And may this be by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Dear Father, desire to honor You. Truly, this is my desire. May it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UieWo56g7k&list=RD3UieWo56g7k&start_radio=1