Lord, bless me…

The Weekly Clothesline

Posted 6/6/22

Tucked away in First Chronicles is the appearance of Jabez. He is believed to be an ancestor of the Kings of Judah...

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Lord, bless me…

The Weekly Clothesline

Posted

Tucked away in First Chronicles is the appearance of Jabez. He is believed to be an ancestor of the Kings of Judah, and he is known for a particular prayer: “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” (1 Chron. 4:9ff). We find nothing but genealogy for two and a half chapters previous to this prayer. Then, following the prayer, more genealogy plus documentation of wars and conquests. So what is the importance of this prayer? And what are we to learn from it?

The prayer makes four simple but incredibly powerful requests of God. First, the prayer asks for blessings. God wants to bless us, and we should always ask for his blessing. Jabez then asks that God will “enlarge my territory.” He’s asking God for an accumulation of land when they defeat their enemies in order that they may spread God’s word. Next, he asks God to “keep your hand with me,” certainly a necessary request of anyone who believes. We can do nothing good without a constant connection to the God who made us. And finally, a request to “keep me safe” implies the need for protection. God desires that no harm should come near His children.

Could this prayer be yours today? God has plans for you, and this is your way of engaging with Him.

Lord, bless me. Enlarge my community of faith.
keep your hand with me. And keep me safe. Amen.

prayer, blessings

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