Now Jabez was more honourable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez saying, Because I gave birth to him in pain. And Jabez called on the name of 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 might not cause pain. So God granted him what he requested.
(1 Chronicles 4. 9-10)
Jabez was born into the tribe of Judah, and his contemporaries spent their lives in earthly, secular activities such as craftsmen, weavers, potters and so on. (verses 14, 21, 23) In stark contrast, Jabez reached out to God, Who played a major role in his life.
The name Jabez was a reminder to him, his family and others of the distress he caused his mother at birth. His name directed people to remember, rather than forget, to look back instead of forward.
It was a name void of positive ambition, a choice that could have limited the development of this young man, and fuelled a lack of self worth. His mother’s action was selfish and negative.
Disciples of Jesus Christ need to practice breathing the fresh air of encouragement over the people they meet. Most people deserve our positive input into their lives.
Faced with being swamped by this negative start in life, Jabez made a wise move – he talked to God about it. His prayer divides into three parts.
ONE: Oh that You would bless me indeed. His request took the form of a vow, a promise to God. God’s blessing on the life of Jabez would spill over into his family, friends, community and beyond. When God blesses you, you become a blessing. Genesis 12. 2.
Jabez could have asked for all sorts of things, but he reached a wise decision, and made the right choice – the blessing of God. Jacob was so eager for God’s blessing on his life that he wrested with an angel all night and wouldn’t let him go until he received God’s favour.  (Genesis 32. 26-29) What place does God’s blessing or favour occupy on our personal agenda? It should be a priority.
In his wisdom, Solomon made this discovery: The blessing of God makes rich and adds no sorrow to it. (Proverbs 10. 22)
As a result of answered prayer Jabez became known, not for the pain he had caused one person – his mother – in the past, but for the blessing he became to the many in the present and in the future.
TWO: O that You would enlarge my territory. Jabez was not satisfied with his inheritance. He refused to settle for the ordinary. Complacency was out of the question. Jabez realised that only God could unlock and release the potential in his life. God can do the same for each one of us. Are we aware of the inheritance Christ has purchased and made available to us? Have we explored the heritage we have in Christ? Ephesians 1. 13-14. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance, the foretaste on our heritage, in anticipation of our full blessing. (Amplified Bible)
Don’t settle for second best. Express your ambitions to God. Ephesians 1 . 11. In Christ we have obtained an inheritance now and when Christ returns. Here is your inheritance to experience NOW -
The promises of God, the Word of God, a relationship with God, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5. 22-23) and so on. Our inheritance will be complete when Christ returns.
William Carey the father of modern missions had this to say: Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.
The THIRD part of Jabez’s prayer: v10 That Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I might not cause pain. Christ taught His disciples something similar: Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. God’s hands are powerful. Psalm 37. 24. If good men fall, it isn’t fatal, for the Lord holds them with His hand. God grasps our hand and leads us onward and upward.
That Your hand would be with me. A personal presence, a personal relationship. Moses refused to go a step further in exodus to the Promised Land unless God went with him. Exodus 33. 14-15.
Moses said to the Lord, if Your presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here. And the Lord said: My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.’
Acts 17. 27-28. God is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist. Jabez wanted God to handle his life. We need to surrender our lives into the safest pair of hands in the business-
God’s. God granted the request of Jabez. Talking to God changed the life of Jabez for ever, it will change ours too!  Life is fragile – handle with prayer. Prayer is ours to offer what we can. His to supply what we cannot. (St. Jerome)  The Devil trembles when he sees the weakest saint on his knees.
In closing Jabez was more honourable, noble, great, distinguished than his brothers. A minority voice among the majority. Jabez stood out from the crowd. God took notice of him and placed his example on record to inspire us to follow.