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The circumstances of his birth were seemingly painful, both for himself and others. Due to this, his mother prophesied that trouble and pain would fill his life, and gave him a name to match! But he did not settle for that kind of life; he did not accept it! He did not allow himself and be dominated by this distorted destiny!

He knew the God he served was a God who saves and delivers. He knew God’s original plan for all mankind was perfect.

His corrupted destiny was changed when he cried unto God. He knew God’s perfect will for his life bigger and more potent than any curse or pronouncements!

His heartfelt prayer was heard, and the prophesy of his mother was reversed.

READ 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name  Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’  And Jabez called on 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 may not cause pain!’

So God granted him what he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10)

Jabez was named in response to a curse (Genesis 3:16), but he prayed to reverse the curse! His prayer was short, direct, and specific!

‘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 may not cause pain!’

God granted him his request! This is one of the vital purposes of prayer. Prayer invites God to intervene on this earth, and re-align our destinies to His perfect will.

Everything God created in the beginning was good(Genesis 1:25) and God created man and gave him dominion over all the good things He had created (Genesis 1:26-30); and God saw everything He had made, and indeed it was very good(Genesis 1:31)!

But sin and curse entered this world when man decided to believe Satan and disobey God(Genesis 3)! Our natural birth drops us straight into the cursed and sinful world!  The sin and the curse is our destiny unless we do what Jabez did. That is why salvation is personal. You cry unto God yourself! You tell God,

“The whole world is going in this direction, and thinking I am cursed! But God, I want to follow you. Pick me out of the pack!”

Jabez prayed against the original curse, the curse in Genesis 3; and God heard him! You can too.

That is why Jesus instructs in 18:1,

“Men always ought to pray and not faint, or lose heart.”

Nothing is permanent, unless it aligns with God’s perfect will!

Don’t settle for just anything.

MEMORY VERSE

“So God granted him what he requested.”(1 Chronicles 4:10)

QUESTIONS

1. Do you feel stuck with a bad situation, or an apparent curse  ?   

2. Why not do what Jabez did? Pray to God to change it!

PRAYER TIP

Almighty Father, please help us to know that the world is not the way You planned originally, but we can change it if we call on You!

Written by:
BENNY MALM

For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL

URGENT CALL

If you don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior, you need to do that now!

Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance.

We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page. God bless you.

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Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website. 

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We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission.