1 Chronicles 4:9–10 (NKJV) — 9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
1 Samuel 2:30 (NIV) — 30 … the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: … “Those who honor me I will honor …”
I. “Bless Me” – to
God Greater Glory
Genesis 32:26–28 (NIV) — 26 Then the man [angel] said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.”
Acts 3:25 (NIV) — 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, “Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.”
II. “Enlarge My Territory” – to
God’s Kingdom
Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV) — 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you …”
Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV84) — 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
III. “Your Hand Be with Me” – to
Disciples for Jesus
Acts 11:20–21 (NIV) — 20 … men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand [power & authority] was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Acts 1:8 (NIV) — 8 “… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
IV. “Keep Me from Evil” – to
God’s Glory
Matthew 6:13 (NKJV) — 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:17–18 (NIV) — 17 … the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.