In the natural, we think of being blessed when we have a happy life and are content with our station in life. Being blessed can be having the children we adore, and having those
same children love and adore us. We are blessed when we have a good job and the boss likes the work we do. To a teenager, being blessed could mean having great friends, being good at sports, or being able to do school work like it
was a 'piece of cake'. I know you've all heard that expression!
I consider myself blessed in all areas of my life. I love school, loved my home life, and loved going to church. I've had a great, long, fulfilling marriage to a wonderful guy. This marriage produced two wonderful children
who, in turn, have blessed us with five wonderful grandchildren. My natural life couldn't be happier.
But, let's look at Jabez. He was named Jabez by his Mother because she 'bore him with sorrow'. But, Jabez didn't wallow in the name. He may have been ridiculed because of the name; we all know how children can be to others when they
don't approve of something. But, Jabez never let this hinder him with his walk with God. He boldly came to God and asked to be blessed. He not only wanted to be blessed, but he said, 'bless me indeed'. [I Chornicles 4:10] Jabez knew that, when God blesses you,
that His blessings are real and they produce real effects. None of this superficial stuff for him! Go right to the source of the supernatural blessings - God! He wasn't scared to ask for blessings. After all, scripture says 'Come boldly to the throne of grace'. [Heb 4:16]
If we could all obtain the mindset of Jabez, 'get real' with God, and come out from under the bondage we sometimes place ourselves, and realize God does want to bless us, then our lives would be more meaningful. Blessings might overtake us and our 'cup' would be running over
with these blessings, so that we might bless others. The Jabez prayer went on to say 'and God granted him that which he requested.' We aren't blessed like Jabez because we haven't asked God like Jabez did. We never know what God has in store for us until we ask. As it's been said, I'd
hate to get to heaven and find that God wanted to send me many blessings, but I never received them because I was afraid to ask!
Psalms 115:12 The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
Master's Table-Devotionals
