"I Will Sing For Joy"

"I Will Sing For Joy"

"And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, 'Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed and enlarge my borders, and that Thine hand might be with me and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!' And God granted him that which he requested." ~1 Chronicles 4:10

I'm sure most of us have read the "Prayer of Jabez" many times. It's a powerful prayer and one I've prayed for myself many times. In the prayer Jabez asks for four specific things: to be blessed, to have his borders enlarged, that God's hand would be with him and for God to keep him from evil. He then adds, "that it may not grieve me". What did he mean by those six words?

"Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bore him in pain'.” ~1 Chronicles 4:9 . According to research, "The Hebrew name Jabez means 'sorrowful', 'borne in pain', or 'he makes sorrowful'." In Biblical times a person's name carried a lot of weight. Is Jabez' name the reason he prayed those six words? I wonder if the stigma of his name caused him to feel grieved? Did his mother remind him often of the pain he caused her in childbirth? The Bible doesn't give us an answer. I do believe when he said, "that it may not grieve me", he was asking for deliverance from pain and sorrow. What type of pain/sorrow, again, we don't know.

There are two things that resonate with me in these scriptures. First, God said he was "more honorable than his brothers" which is huge in my opinion. That in itself is a good reason for Jabez to feel significant and blessed by God! Second and more importantly, God heard his prayer and granted his request. God knew his prayer was sincere and from a humble heart.
Two verses, a powerful "answered" prayer and Jabez was never mentioned again. The story ends ... or does it?

These scriptures and the prayer took on new meaning for me this morning.  Now this is strictly my thoughts, my interpretation and what God spoke to my heart. It may be just for me but I felt like sharing it with you.

We don't put a lot of emphasis on names in our culture today but if we did my name would read like this: "Martha the feminine form marta translates to 'mistress of the house' or 'lady' and Carol is a joyful, festive song or hymn, most commonly associated with Christmas." Martha Carol-- "a lady with a joyful song". Is that really me?

As I read those two verses this morning I believe I heard God saying, "Carol you need to be more joyful! You have allowed life, negativity and hurt to almost destroy you. You need to remember I called you many years ago to shine your light, your joy and your song for Me. You are my child and I love you!" Wow, ok God I hear You, I'm listening. "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." ~ Proverbs 17:22

"Father God, forgive me for my weakness. I pray that you will bless me and my family. I ask that You enlarge my territory so that I can tell others about You. Keep Your hand on me and lead me in the path that You would have me go and keep me from all negativity and evil. Take the hurt away, keep me humble and let my life be a joyful reflection of You! Amen

"For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me."~ Psalm 63:7-8