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DAY 104 or APRIL 14.

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O THAT YOU WOULD BLESS ME GOD.

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Our thoughts today are from 1 Chronicles chapter 4, verses 9 and 10.

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Jebez was more honorable than his brothers.

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His mother had named him Jebez, saying, I gave birth to him in pain.

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Jebez cried out to the God of Israel, O that you would bless me and enlarge my territory.

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Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm, so that I will be free from pain.

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And God granted his request.

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Now the big picture surrounding these verses.

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The chronicler covers an overview of the genealogies of the twelve tribes of Israel.

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He begins with Judah rather than the eldest, who was Reuben, and continues in his own unique

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order.

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This indicates that the tribes' importance had changed since their founders were born,

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otherwise they would have been in the same birth order as first recorded in Genesis.

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Within the tribe of Judah there is a brief pause from genealogies to record a mini life

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story of a man called Jebez.

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It's only a short break, however, and the lists of names then continue.

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And now our action step for today.

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In just two verses the Bible tells us all we need to know about Jebez in order to be

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inspired by his life.

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In fact it tells us all that anyone knows about Jebez.

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He probably lived during the period of Judges when all the people did whatever seemed right

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in their own eyes, according to Judges chapter 21 verse 25.

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He was an exception to this along with Ruth, whose book follows Judges.

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Jebez's request to God was very simple.

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Bless me, prosper me, guide me, and protect me.

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What a simple and yet profound prayer.

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Today there are many people who begin their daily prayers like this.

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It can enable you to focus your thoughts.

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The Bible tells us that God granted his request.

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Our prayers don't need to be long or involve the use of wonderful biblical language.

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They just need to be sincere and prayed to our Father in heaven.

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Of course the answers will vary because our God is not a God who responds robotically

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to a formula.

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Nevertheless, it's a great way to focus.

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Try it tomorrow.