The Prayer of Jabez
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.—1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)
Speaking to the people, He went on, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.”—Luke 12:15 (MSG)
WE ALL NEED to heed Jesus’s warning in the above verse. Life is not defined by what you have–and sometimes our stuff actually becomes a trap, taking you away from your true self and making you believe that you are what you have. If you start judging yourself by your material possessions, ask God to open your eyes to His truth.
Dear Lord, if I get caught up thinking that a material object will make me happy, guide me back to what really matters. Guide me back to You.
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.—1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
And the angel said to you, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”—Luke 2:10–11 (ESV)