Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2022 14:49:29 GMT -5
Don’t Let My Name Be My Story By: Debbi Fralick
Click here for the Audio Message
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!”
1 Chronicles 4:10
Today's Scripture & Insight:
1 Chronicles 4:9–10
After I married my husband, I watched him repeatedly apologise for who he was. People said he was too direct, too bold—just too Russell. They didn’t seem to notice that he’s warm, thoughtful and sensitive. Their remarks hurt him deeply.
Jabez also lived with a harsh reputation. At his birth his mother “named him Jabez saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain’” (1 Chronicles 4:9)—because “Jabez” sounds like the Hebrew word for pain. He was essentially labelled, “a man of pain”. Imagine the heartache and isolation of living under that characterisation—of being avoided in the street or having people assume the worst of you.
Jabez thus “cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!’” (v. 10). He asked God to remember His promises to His people—given through Abraham—of blessing and of extending blessings (see Genesis 12:1–3). Jabez took hold of those promises for himself, essentially saying to the Lord, “Don’t let my name become my story. Do what You have said; bless me and send me out to bless!”
If you have been given a difficult name or reputation by others, know that their words don’t have to write your story. They didn’t for my husband. God sent Russell to serve as chaplain to the Royal Marines Commandos—they like straight-talking men of action. Being misunderstood is painful, but it doesn’t have to stop us blessing others and being blessed.
Reflect & Pray
How can you entrust to God any labels that others have given you? Where can you look to share the blessings you have received from God?
Heavenly Father, I find it painful when people misunderstand me. Help me to not be defined by those false opinions. Enable me to be who You have created me to be so I can bless You and others.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Renaming people was common in the Scriptures, for a name described something about the person. In Genesis 17:5–15 Abram is renamed Abraham. Abram, which means “exalted father,” became Abraham, “father of multitudes.” Abraham’s grandson Jacob, whose name means “heel-grabber” and “schemer,” was renamed Israel, “prince of God.” The despondent Naomi asked her neighbours to no longer call her Naomi (delightful), but Mara (bitterness) because of the hard life she had experienced (Ruth 1:20). In the New Testament, a Christ-follower named Joseph was called Barnabas by the apostles ( Acts 4:36). Barnabas means “son of encouragement,” which perfectly captured this man’s interactions with other believers and with the church.
Our Daily Bread
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
King James Version
9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
Click here for the Audio Message
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!”
1 Chronicles 4:10
Today's Scripture & Insight:
1 Chronicles 4:9–10
After I married my husband, I watched him repeatedly apologise for who he was. People said he was too direct, too bold—just too Russell. They didn’t seem to notice that he’s warm, thoughtful and sensitive. Their remarks hurt him deeply.
Jabez also lived with a harsh reputation. At his birth his mother “named him Jabez saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain’” (1 Chronicles 4:9)—because “Jabez” sounds like the Hebrew word for pain. He was essentially labelled, “a man of pain”. Imagine the heartache and isolation of living under that characterisation—of being avoided in the street or having people assume the worst of you.
Jabez thus “cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!’” (v. 10). He asked God to remember His promises to His people—given through Abraham—of blessing and of extending blessings (see Genesis 12:1–3). Jabez took hold of those promises for himself, essentially saying to the Lord, “Don’t let my name become my story. Do what You have said; bless me and send me out to bless!”
If you have been given a difficult name or reputation by others, know that their words don’t have to write your story. They didn’t for my husband. God sent Russell to serve as chaplain to the Royal Marines Commandos—they like straight-talking men of action. Being misunderstood is painful, but it doesn’t have to stop us blessing others and being blessed.
Reflect & Pray
How can you entrust to God any labels that others have given you? Where can you look to share the blessings you have received from God?
Heavenly Father, I find it painful when people misunderstand me. Help me to not be defined by those false opinions. Enable me to be who You have created me to be so I can bless You and others.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Renaming people was common in the Scriptures, for a name described something about the person. In Genesis 17:5–15 Abram is renamed Abraham. Abram, which means “exalted father,” became Abraham, “father of multitudes.” Abraham’s grandson Jacob, whose name means “heel-grabber” and “schemer,” was renamed Israel, “prince of God.” The despondent Naomi asked her neighbours to no longer call her Naomi (delightful), but Mara (bitterness) because of the hard life she had experienced (Ruth 1:20). In the New Testament, a Christ-follower named Joseph was called Barnabas by the apostles ( Acts 4:36). Barnabas means “son of encouragement,” which perfectly captured this man’s interactions with other believers and with the church.
Our Daily Bread
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
King James Version
9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.