Promises

When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. (Hebrews 6:13-15 NIV)

There are times when we feel like we stuck a whirlwind of chaos. We may wonder if there is any real purpose to anything; if we'll ever see the sunlight again; if there is any good for us in the future. But, God has promised us an awesome life in His presence for all eternity. There are days when we may not feel like He's any where around. But, God keeps His promises. It took some time for Abraham to see the fulfillment of the promise of descendants. But, he waited patiently and received the promise.

Trust in the Lord. He promises "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) Have patience and wait on the Lord and you will see all His promises fulfilled.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Prayer of Jabez

Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” And God granted what he asked. (1 Chron 4:10 NRSV)

Among the descendants of Judah, is Jabez. In the middle of the list of Judah's descendants is a description of this one obscure son. He is born in pain. He is a humble man who prays to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!" (4:10) God answered his prayer. It does not say how. It just says that he answered this prayer.

Now, I'm thinking the fact that he prayed for these things and that God answered has to be pretty important; otherwise, why would this man's prayer be placed in the middle of this genealogy? I have heard many critiques of this prayer. Yet, I pray it often for others, whom I love. It is a simple prayer. Jabez asked God to bless him, to keep him from harm and to enlarge his borders or territories. The critique I've often heard is that the enlarging territories is about riches. Presumably there are some who would turn Jabez' humble prayer into a selfish prayer.

However; for Christian, our borders are on the mission field. We do not look at this prayer as a magical means to fill our pockets, but a prayer that God would bless us with missions, with outreach to the whole world.

Who would not want their loved ones to be blessed by the LORD, to be kept from harm and know no pain and to have ever expanding borders to proclaim the praises of God? Oh, LORD, expand our territory so that we might reach out to even more, to the multitudes, with the Good News of your Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Our God; Not Idols

"Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’;
others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’

and will take the name Israel.

“This is what the Lord says—
Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;

apart from me there is no God."

(Isa 44:5-6 NIV)

Herein, we find the promise of God to call people who were not his people. He will save those who belong to Him. He promises to bless them and their descendants, pouring out His Spirit upon them. 

Through the lips of Isaiah, God once again reminds us that He is God. He is the creator of all things. He reminds us again how worthless false idols are. They are fashioned, created, with the minds and hands of mere mortals. How, then can the created create something greater than God who created the world and all that is in it?  It's a puzzle, that man could delude himself so, But, he often does.

Worship the Lord Almighty, our King and Redeemer and only Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J