Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 4.9-10
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
Originally published on November 14, 2023, based on readings from 1 Chronicles 4.9-10.
Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or filling out the linked form.
Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
Alisha, OK — This devotional is so timely for me…because of the constant pain I am living in. God is good and has given me peace, but I sometimes doubt if I should pray for relief or surrender to the pain. I’ve never thought…that “Lives defined by pain can find solace, salvation, and supply in God when we cry out to him.” I find my peace and provision and protection in God’s presence and there is a very great deal of relief knowing it’s ok to pray this prayer in the middle of the pain! God bless you for the timeliness of this! I love how He works and speaks right when we need it.
Barbara, TN — Alleluia! What a redemptive and more fleshed out devotion from a prayer that has been a bit distorted. Thank you! Pain Can bring great joy and deliverance as you beautifully say.
Reflection: The Prayer of a Man Named “Pain” — Readers’ Choice
By John Tillman
Jabez was born from pain and named for pain. This man called “Pain” cried out to God to avoid experiencing or causing pain. We should never sneer or be surprised when people in pain pray for relief.
Jabez prayed for God’s provision, presence, power, and protection.
Praying for God’s provision includes praying for “things” but goes beyond that to pray for God’s providential will. Praying for provision means requesting what we need in order to do what God would have us do.
Praying for God’s hand means longing to walk in God’s presence. God is omnipresent and with us at all times and places, but when we pray for his hand on us, we mean a greater experience of his presence.
Praying for God’s powerful hand means trusting God’s arm is not too short to save nor too weak to work in and through us according to his will. God’s power is for his purposes. His power will not go with us if we stray from his purpose.
Prayer for God’s protection confesses humility. We acknowledge our lack of control and that we cannot protect ourselves from spiritual or physical dangers. Sin and death hunger to devour us, and we, like Cain, fail to master them. Therefore, we need God’s protection.
The chronicler inserts Jabez’s story in the genealogical record of Judah but does not list Jabez as anyone’s father or son. It is a little bubble of narrative bursting out of a chart of records. Why is this story here?
The Bible only mentions Jabez one other time. 1 Chronicles 2.55 notes a town of scribes presumably named for Jabez. Many of the texts we hold dear today were copied and cared for by scribes such as the ones who lived at Jabez.
Perhaps the chronicler knew of Jabez before the exile or even lived there? Whether or not this is true, Jabez’s prayer must be one the chronicler longed to see come true in his life and the lives of other exiles.
When hurting, cry for healing. When exiled or outcast, cry for rescue and inclusion. When called a cursed name, cry for blessing and fruitfulness. When suffering pain in this world and homesick for our true home, cry for relief. Lives defined by pain can find solace, salvation, and supply in God when we cry out to him.
Pray for relief and blessing from pain.
From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.
Prayer:
Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man. — Nehemiah 1.11
Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 42 (Listen 3:44)
2 Corinthians 2 (Listen 2:13)
Read more about Ask and Keep Asking
Lord, help us to ask and keep asking…grant us greater wisdom, enlightenment, hope, and power.
Read more about Beyond Second Chances
God goes beyond giving second chances. Scripture is full of second chances, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh chances, and beyond.
