DEVO 07.19.23

DEVO. 07.19.23

“He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.” ‭‭(1 Chronicles‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

- “He was the one who prayed” - I love how the NLT translates this. - The writer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, stops the flow of names and says, “He is the one”. - Check this guy Jabez out! Let him be your example! - His name meant pain, but he wasn’t talking about pain. - He was identified with a curse but he wasn’t going to live under a curse. - He had no right to believe in anything better but instead, “He was the one” - The one who did what? - The one who complained? - Argued? - Who was bitter? - Who strategized? - Nope! The one who prayed! - And that Prayer made all the difference! - He prayed to the God of Israel! The only one who could change his circumstances! The only one who could make a difference. - And God, our amazing, All-Powerful, All-Sufficient God made all the difference. - “God granted him his request.” - I don’t know what you are dealing with, today, but instead of talking about it, complaining, rehearsing the problem or dwelling on it, how about you stop and Pray on it! - Stop everything else and Just pray to God who hears and sees and knows what you need! - Then leave it in His hands! - Don’t take it back! - Press into His presence! - Seek His face and wait on Him! - If God thought that Jabez needed to be our example, then don’t you think it is worth imitating him? - Be the ONE! - Have a great Wednesday!