DAY 104 or APRIL 14.
O THAT YOU WOULD BLESS ME GOD.
Our thoughts today are from 1 Chronicles chapter 4, verses 9 and 10.
Jebez was more honorable than his brothers.
His mother had named him Jebez, saying, I gave birth to him in pain.
Jebez cried out to the God of Israel, O 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.
Now the big picture surrounding these verses.
The chronicler covers an overview of the genealogies of the twelve tribes of Israel.
He begins with Judah rather than the eldest, who was Reuben, and continues in his own unique
order.
This indicates that the tribes' importance had changed since their founders were born,
otherwise they would have been in the same birth order as first recorded in Genesis.
Within the tribe of Judah there is a brief pause from genealogies to record a mini life
story of a man called Jebez.
It's only a short break, however, and the lists of names then continue.
And now our action step for today.
In just two verses the Bible tells us all we need to know about Jebez in order to be
inspired by his life.
In fact it tells us all that anyone knows about Jebez.
He probably lived during the period of Judges when all the people did whatever seemed right
in their own eyes, according to Judges chapter 21 verse 25.
He was an exception to this along with Ruth, whose book follows Judges.
Jebez's request to God was very simple.
Bless me, prosper me, guide me, and protect me.
What a simple and yet profound prayer.
Today there are many people who begin their daily prayers like this.
It can enable you to focus your thoughts.
The Bible tells us that God granted his request.
Our prayers don't need to be long or involve the use of wonderful biblical language.
They just need to be sincere and prayed to our Father in heaven.
Of course the answers will vary because our God is not a God who responds robotically
to a formula.
Nevertheless, it's a great way to focus.
Try it tomorrow.