There was a man named Jabez, who was the most respected member of his family. He mother had given him the name Jabez, because his birth had been very painful. But Jabez prayed to the God of Israel, "Bless me, God, and give me much land. Be with me and keep me from anything evil that might cause me pain." And God gave him what he prayed for.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Remember that the giver, the LORD, is more important than the gift. We don’t know much about Jabez except that his name means pain or distress. We also know that when he grew up, he was more honorable than his brothers. We don’t really know why he was more honorable but we can guess it was because he took his relationship with God very seriously. He knew that God was the giver of all things. Jabez may have been honorable because he honored the LORD.

Pray that you emulate the character of Jabez,

who lived to please God.

The purpose of prayer is not to get what we want,

but to become what God wants.

Our Daily Bread – January 29, 2003