Jabez

The history of Jabez is one of the shortest biographies of the Bible and also one of the most suggestive. He became more illustrious than his brothers, because although he received a name stuck with stigma, he did not passively accept the declaration of defeat in his life. He shook off the yoke of crisis and sought broader horizons in his path. We are crossing the border for another year. It is time to disassociate ourselves from the difficulties of the past, climb on the shoulders of the giants and look at life with the vision of the high lighthouse. What did Jabez do that made him more noble than his brothers?

1. He prayed for God's blessing (1Ch 4.10) - Jabez invoked the God of Israel, the living God and not a dead idol. He went to the right source, with the right request and with the right motivation. His cry is profound: "Oh, I hope you will bless me!" Only through the blessing of God can we get out of the wilderness deserts towards the green-filled meadows; Only through the blessing of God can we heal the traumas of our past to live a free, abundant and happy life. The blessing of God enriches and with it there is no disgust. Our God is the one who has already blessed us with all kinds of blessings in Christ Jesus in the heavenly regions.

2. He asked God to expand his borders (1Ch 4.10) - Jabez was not a well-off man. He looked forward and wanted to conquer more land, he wanted to expand the space of his shop, he wanted to expand his horizons and conquer new frontiers. It is not enough to get rid of the moorings of the past, we need to raise higher flights in relation to the future. Jabez wanted more space, influence, work, fruits, and conquests. His heart was touched by more expressive victories, by more daring targets, by more haughty dreams. In the same way, we need to have bolder dreams in our personal, family and spiritual life. There is still land to be conquered!

3. He pleaded for the presence of God (1Ch 4.10) - Jabez understands that his dreams can not be realized if the hand of God is not with him. He does not want only things, he wants God. Things without God do not satisfy the soul. Without the presence of God we can not walk victoriously. Our greatest need is of God. Our journey can never be successful if the hand of God is not with us. It was the presence of God who sustained, protected and led the people of Israel through the desert for forty years. It is the presence of God that floods the church with courage and strength as it walks through the valleys and hills of History. We have the promise of Jesus: "Behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the ages" (Mt 28.20).

4. He cried out for the protection of God (1Ch 4.10) - Jabez understands that the journey of life is full of dangers. There are rugged roads, random enemies, amazing fears. We need divine protection. Jabez asks for the liberation of evil and evil. He understands that only God can free us from the snares and traps of the evil one. Jabez knows that he can not win without the protection of the Most High, so he cries out and begs for the liberation not only of the evil one, but also of the affliction derived from his investiture. We have no strength or enough weapons in ourselves to enter that battle; but with the strength of the Eternal and clad in his armor we can triumph.

The text of 1 Chronicles 4.10 ends by saying: "And God granted him what he had asked for." God answers our prayers. He changes our luck. He transforms tears into joy, valleys into springs, the siege of the enemy into the door of hope. We are going through the portals of a new year. Do what Jabez did. Cry out to the Lord too and you will see that a new time may also mark your life!