“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NKJV)
Introduction
I welcome you to February, the year of the Onward Christian Soldier. February and ‘the number 2’ focus on themes like duality, relationships, renewal, and transition. This makes them comparable in their symbolic and functional significance in time and life, respectively.
This month, we will examine the roles of God and man in bringing about an unprecedented miracle in the life of His people. Do you believe in miracles? In this age defined by extraordinary scientific and technological achievements, there is a continually debated relationship between asking reasonable questions about nature and having faith in God. While science seeks explanations rooted in observation and evidence, faith in God embraces the miraculous as manifestations of divine power. Yet, history shows that science and faith can complement each other in remarkable ways.
Isaac Newton (1643–1727), one of history’s greatest scientific minds, saw his discoveries as reflections of divine design. He famously stated, “The wonderful arrangement and harmony of the cosmos could only have originated in the plan of an omniscient and omnipotent being.” Albert Einstein (1879–1955), a revolutionary physicist, captured the balance between science and faith, asserting that “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”
Similarly, Francis Bacon (1561–1626), the father of the scientific method, believed in the compatibility of faith and science by declaring, “A little science estranges a man from God; a lot of science brings him back.” Together, these achievers remind us that scientific breakthroughs and benefits need not oppose our faith in the God of miracles. Faith in God and scientific inquiries can coexist as a celebration of the wonder and order of creation.
Outline
The story of Jabez gives us a deeper understanding of miracles as God’s intervention in human affairs. It is a narrative that begins with the ordinary struggles of human limitations and closes with an extraordinary demonstration of God’s power. Jabez’s prayer of faith became an occasion of grace in which God gave him a miracle that changed his misery. The three points to consider in this outline are:
- Jabez’s Common Story of Limitations
- Jabez’s Uncommon Faith and Prayer
- Jabez’s Miraculous Turnaround
#1. Jabez’s Common Story of Limitations
Jabez was of the tribe of Judah, Israel’s largest and foremost in God’s promises and blessings; a tribe from which came the LORD Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). Despite the enormous potential benefits of his generational heritage, tribal affiliation, and social status, Jabez’s birth circumstances set an unusual limitation to his desire, vision, and destiny.
Jabez’s case symbolizes the following six common human conflicts that limit potential:
- Inherited Potential versus Personal Struggles – Facing personal hardships or challenges that hinder leveraging one’s advantageous inherited potential (Genesis 25:23-26).
- Cultural Expectations versus Personal Experience – Belonging to a group or tradition known for excellence or success yet grappling with personal setbacks or lacking resources to meet those expectations (1 Samuel 16: 6-7).
- Generational Promises versus Individual Obstacles – Having ancestral or generational promises or blessings but facing structural barriers, disputes, or external forces that delay or prevent fulfillment (Joshua 17:14-18).
- Prominent Affiliation but Low Personal Esteem – Being part of a reputable or honored social group yet struggling with feelings of inadequacy, rejection, or a tarnished personal reputation (Judges 6:15).
- Opportunities Overshadowed by Stigma – Living with the burden of a name, label, or circumstance that shapes public perception and self-worth. This limits one’s access to opportunities due to inherent yet latent potential (Mark 5:25-34).
- Vision Limited by Environmental Constraints – Holding a grand vision or ambition but being restricted by one’s immediate environment (Jeremiah 1:4-8). This includes societal norms, economic hardships, or geographic isolation.
#2. Jabez’s Uncommon Faith and Prayer
Jabez was a man of faith, and the Lord took note of it (Hebrews 11:6). However, according to 1 Chronicles 4:9, “Jabez” means “he causes pain” or “a child of sorrow”. In a culture where names were thought to influence one’s destiny (Genesis 35:18; Ruth 1:20), Jabez’s name compounded the socioeconomic context of his birth. However, his faith and prayer drew the miracle he needed to him.
His prayer is fourfold:
- Bless me indeed – There are blessings generally and “a blessing indeed that surpasses all other blessings combined (Genesis 32:26). Jacob received a generational blessing that transformed him from one person to a whole nation. Jabez’s first miracle was that he got “a blessing indeed.”
- Enlarge my coast – He was not content to go on only with what he had. The request for territory enlargement indicates a desire for greater security, prosperity, or influence. In Isaiah 54:2-3, God encourages His people to prepare for expansion and growth, symbolized by enlarging a tent and spreading its stakes. Jabez’s second miracle was enlargement.
- That Thine hand may be with me! – He counted on God’s protecting care for his success. Ezra acknowledged that his successful journey and project execution were possible because the hand of God was with him (Ezra 7:9). Jabez’s third miracle was achieving success in all his undertakings.
- Keep me from evil that it may not make me sorrowful – Points to a historical reality of frequent conflicts, dangers, and vulnerabilities in daily life, from which God can guard His people and preserve their lives in peace (Psalm 121:7). Jabez’s fourth miracle was divine protection that preserved his investments, heritage, etc. from attackers. This was like the miracle of the invisible hedge around Job and everything he had.
#3. Jabez’s Miraculous Turnaround
We do not have more details on Jabez’s miracles than the fact God granted his four requests.
- Blessing and Favor – His life became marked by prosperity, success, or spiritual enrichment.
- Territorial Expansion – He enjoyed an enlarged territory of tangible improvement in his wealth, influence and opportunities.
- Divine Presence – By asking for God’s hand to be with him, Jabez invited sustained success and peace.
- Protection from Evil – Jabez was shielded from misfortune, a life free from unnecessary pain or conflict.
Conclusion
Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner and World War II veteran, survived 47 days adrift at sea after his plane crashed. He was captured and tortured in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. After the war, Zamperini struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcoholism. PTSD can affect anyone, including military veterans, survivors of abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or other intense and life-threatening situations.
However, his life took a miraculous turn when he attended a Billy Graham crusade in 1949. Zamperini forgave his captors and dedicated his life to sharing his testimony. His transformation from bitterness and trauma to forgiveness and peace testifies to resilience and faith, inspiring millions through his story, which was later detailed in the book and film Unbroken.
PRAYERS
- Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness in doing miracles for your children.
- All the victories You gave me shall be permanent, in Jesus’ Name (Exodus 14:13).
- God of miracles, remove foundational evils from my family, in Jesus’ Name (Ecclesiastes 10:5-7).
- Father, as it happened to Reuben, don’t let my sins rob me of the blessings associated with my position, in Jesus’ Name (Genesis 49:1-4).
- Father, turn my life around like You turned Jabez’s story from pain to gain, in Jesus’ Name.
- God of miracles put an end to anything and everything that is siphoning executive power from our leaders, making them into mere figureheads, in Jesus’ Name (2 Samuel 3:39).
- Father, I receive the grace to diligently perform my spiritual and natural responsibilities to possess my spiritual and natural blessings in 2025, in Jesus’ Name.
- Thank You, Father, because You are a God that answers prayer, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
