Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Chronicles 4-6
Devotional Thought:
1 Chronicles 4:10 became very popular a few years ago as books were written on the prayer of Jabez. “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.” It is unfortunate that many Christians have used this prayer as a good luck charm or as a manipulation against God to demand He give us the good life. The problem lies in the understanding of the word bless. Bruce Wilkinson’s book has some good things to say, but there is no hint in his book that that “best” might sometimes seem less than a blessing to our human eyes. We are to expect clear sailing, as long as we don’t sin and depart from “God’s agenda.” This is a feel-good message. Wilkinson assures his readers, “if you’re like many who use the Jabez prayer … you’ll come to times in your life when you feel so blessed that you stop praying for more, at least for a while.” Those times of deep waters may seem impossible to navigate at times, but when we look back and see what all God was teaching us and what He was doing, we find that we are blessed to have experienced them. There are some lessons that can only be learned and some steps of maturity that can only be taken while going through deep waters. Sometimes we must “sow in tears so that we can reap in joy.” When we ask God to bless us, we must also submit ourselves to what God then deems as blessing. What determines eternal blessing is often times an extreme contrast to temporary or earthly blessing. Jim Elliot and his friends were blessed and their coast was enlarged for the kingdom, but it cost them their lives here on earth in order for it to be accomplished. Praying for God to keep us from the evil is wonderful if we intend to implement God’s plan for resisting the Devil and not making provision for our flesh. But if we violate God’s word and disobey His commands, praying for Him to keep us from the consequences is quite foolish. The evil comes from the consequences for disobedience, but if we will obey God’s word we can overcome temptation and evil.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to follow your word and submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit so that I may enjoy the fulfillment, satisfaction, and joy that comes from surrender to your will.
• Lord, thank you for your grace that is sufficient, for your mercy that is new every morning, and for your wisdom that is available for the asking.
• Lord, please help me to be the surrendered vessel that allows you to accomplish your perfect will in my life. May you expand my ministry for your glory, keep me wise concerning that which is good, and help me to be content with what you bring into my life.