1 Chronicles 3-5 / April 24 (Day 115)

Right in the middle of these genealogies, the author pauses to tell us about Jabez. 1 Chronicles 4:9 says he was “more honorable” than his brothers. He was worthy of honor above his brothers, but he was labeled as one who brings pain. Jabez’s faith caused him to look beyond what he was labeled and call on God. The first part of his prayer may appear selfish at first ("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…”), but the last part reveals his heart; (“…that I may not cause pain!") Jabez believed big to be a blessing and “God granted him what he requested.”