From Provision Instead Of Need
The name of Jabez springs up in 1 Chronicles 4:9 with no setting of time or family, yet God called this man honorable, esteemed, and renowned and granted his prayer requests.
As we have meditated on the prayer of Jabez, we have caught a glimpse of Jabez's large view of God and of God's ability to supply from the wealth of who He is. David, another man God honored, knew the same truth. Both Jabez and David had experienced great pain and rejection in life, but they also both knew their true source of life and hope was in God. Psalm 16:5-9 is David's version of Jabez's prayer, spoken not from a place of need, but of assurance of God's provision.
Jabez: Oh, that you would bless me indeed.
David: The Lord is my chosen and assigned portion, my cup; You hold and maintain my lot. Ps. 16:5 (Amplified Bible)
Jabez: Enlarge my territory!
David: The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good heritage. Ps. a16:6 (Amplified)
Jabez: Let your hand be with me.
David: I will bless the Lord, who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. Ps. 16:7 (Amplified)
Jabez: Keep me from harm so it might not hurt me.
David: I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Ps. 16:8 (Amplified)
Jabez: And God granted his request.
David: Therefore my heart is glad and my glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety. Ps. 16:9 (Amplified)
I like the amplified version of Psalm 16:5 because it correctly translates that the Lord is my chosen and assigned portion and my cup. Other versions say that the Lord assigns my portion and my cup. David knew that regardless of his circumstances, he was secure because the Lord was his portion and his cup. Whether you feel like you are crying out from a place of need like Jabez or from a place of confidence like David, continue to press in to everything God has for you in himself.
Prayer
Jabez regularly, consistently, and urgently called on the covenant-keeping name of God.
1. I humbly kneel in submission before You to receive Your blessing, Yours alone. Impart in me the deposit of the deep humility of Jesus (Phil. 2:5-8).
2. Enlarge my view of who You are. Show Yourself for who You really are through me. Give me a greater portion in the ministry of Jesus on earth today. I don't want to work for You. I want to seek You so You can work through me on Your own behalf (Acts 13:2-4). Show me where You are at work, and I want to be where You are, in Your power of attorney.
3. You are ever-present with me. Help me to seek You and find You and never be the same (Jer. 29:11-13). I believe You for the vision, resources, strength, angelic help, people, etc., needed (Phil. 4:19). Your agenda is before mine, and I want to recognize Your divine answers. I need so much more of You and so much less of me.
4. Keep evil far from me (1 John 5:18). Keep me from making the mistakes I so easily fall into when the tempter tries to entrap me (2 Peter 2:9).
5. You delight to answer the prayers of the righteous (Prov. 15:8,29). Through the power of prayer, You defeat the enemy, give me victory, and make Your cause successful. In Jesus' name, amen.
