1 Chronicles 4: 9 – 10 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 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.

This is probably the briefest and most encouraging story of a life in Scripture. It speaks volumes of the individual life that God chose to bless. Jabez’s name is listed among the names in the Clan of Judah but the names of his mother and father are not given. To make matters worse, even his mother doesn’t seem to have cared much for him since she named him Jabez because of the pain he had caused her at birth. The one bit of positive information available is that he had brothers and he was more honorable than they were.

What then separates Jabez from his brothers and why do we still talk about him while his brothers are pretty much unknown or forgotten? Simply this: he knew how to commune with God! This has to be a source of great encouragement to anyone who feels lonely, rejected, ostracized or hopeless for any reason. You can call out to Almighty God all by yourself, you can ask for his help. You can tell him what ails you and ask him to save you. You can ask him for a new beginning. He will hear your cry.

To be able to commune with God and have his blessing on your life surpasses all earthly treasures or the approval of men. “Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” (Psalm 27:10). The Holy Spirit affirms:

        “When you choose to honor the Lord God he will change everything in your life and circumstances that needs changing. He will set you up for success beyond your wildest dreams. He will set his love upon you and be pleased to call you his child. As you pursue Him he will pour out spiritual blessings upon you to prepare you for service and a life that will surprise you and everyone else. Yes, your life will glorify Him and you will be an ensample of his goodness.”