And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, 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 4:9-10

Quick Story…

I had been struggling a bit in my task for God. I started the business and spoke in public settings when He told me. But, I still felt an urge to do more. To expand my reach. I had no reputation. No real name recognition outside of my circle. There are so many choices in cyberspace. I became paralyzed. So, in my quiet time with God, I asked Him to direct my next steps. I said, “Okay, God. If you are asking me to extend my reach show me the avenue to walk.” Aaaaaand…crickets.

For a couple of weeks, I polled friends. Tapped into my millennials. Tried this thing and that. Some ideas I kept and cultivated. Others I had to put down. But, I still felt that I needed to reach further. I needed to build more. So, again, I said to God, “You started me on this road. I’m walking and trusting you but you gotta give me something. I’m missing it.” Aaaaaand…crickets.

Finally, a church sister sent me a message out of the blue one night and said try this. She had no idea of what I had been talking to God about. She laid out what was laid on her heart and I smacked myself in the head. What she suggested had been in front of me the whole time. I said, “Thank you, God!” And then…Jabez was dropped in my spirit.

I had never actually read the story. (It’s only two verses.) I had heard about it in songs. There are mentions in sermons. However, I had not sat down and meditated on the words for myself. When I studied the verses, I became disappointed. I had always heard sermons about Jabez in regard to material prosperity. Tangible blessings. I meditated on the verses and realized there is so much more. Take a look…

Jabez’s Reputation

Who was Jabez? We don’t really know. But, do we? The first part of the verse 9 starts by saying Jabez was honorable. There’s nothing before or after these verses that gives us any information about Jabez. No miracles, good deeds or family history. It’s all left to our imaginations based on two verses. All we know for sure is that he was honorable. God honors honor. So, we need to live honorably. We need to live honestly according to the Golden Rule. Matthew 22:37-39 KJV: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Jabez’s Name

Jabez’s mother named him out of her pain. The verse said because she bore him with sorrow. Many biblical figures have been named from painful circumstances. Some were renamed by God. The ones that weren’t didn’t allow their names to define them. Even though Jabez means sorrow, he knew and honored God, It seems as if he was not going to let his name define his life. Jabez knew God and what He could do so God answered his prayer. Don’t let what the world names you define you. Let what God names you define you. We were all made on purpose for purpose.

Jabez’s Prayer

This is the best part. The part we are all familiar with. God blessed Jabez because he was honorable and he honored God. He did not allow his name to define his life. The lesson in my story is this. Enlarging your territory is not just about money and material things. It’s about expanding your gifts. Expanding your reach in your walk. It’s about widening your circle to tell more people about God. It’s about expanding your skill set. Expanding your mind to focus on what God has designed for your life. Without knowing, I asked God to enlarge my territory. He honored my desire to expand my reach in the purpose He’s laid on my heart. He honors honor. My territory has been expanded. My reach has gone further. Remember family, the prayers of the righteous availeth much.

Meditate on this: What is your territory? Seek God to define your territory.

Matthew 6:33 KJV: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

~ Selah