This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 4th January 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here. For the worship, please click here. The God of Increase
When you open the Bible, most of us instinctively gravitate
toward familiar and comforting portions—Psalms, the Gospels, Paul’s letters, or
books like Isaiah and John. Very few of us would admit that genealogies are our
favorite reading. Long lists of names can feel dry, repetitive, and easy to
skip.
Yet, hidden within one such genealogy in 1 Chronicles 4,
we discover a powerful and life-changing story—the story of Jabez.
A Name That Spoke Pain, A Life That Spoke Faith
The genealogy flows uninterrupted until verses 9 and 10,
where everything pauses for one man:
“Jabez was more honourable than his brothers…”
His name, Jabez, literally means “pain.” His
mother named him this because his birth was marked by suffering. Imagine
carrying that label for your entire life—being constantly reminded of pain,
limitation, and difficulty.
But Jabez refused to let his name define his destiny.
Instead of accepting the narrative handed to him, he
cried out to the God of Israel.
The Bold Prayer That Changed Everything
Jabez prayed five simple but courageous requests:
- “Oh,
that You would bless me”
- “Enlarge
my territory”
- “Let
Your hand be with me”
- “Keep
me from harm”
- “So
that I may not experience pain”
And then comes one of the most powerful statements in
Scripture:
“And God granted his request.”
In the middle of an otherwise unremarkable list of names,
Jabez stands out—not because of his background, but because of his bold
faith.
So significant was his life that a city was later named
after him (1 Chronicles 2:55). From pain to purpose—what a transformation.
Is It Wrong to Ask God for Blessing?
Many Christians hesitate when it comes to asking God for big
things. Some fear being labeled “materialistic,” while others swing away from
blessing altogether because of excesses seen in prosperity teaching.
But Scripture paints a clear picture: God is not stingy.
He is generous.
Blessing itself is not the problem. The problem arises when
we seek blessings instead of God, or when blessings are hoarded rather
than used to advance His kingdom.
God delights in blessing His children—so that they, in
turn, can be a blessing to others.
Why We Struggle to Ask Boldly
Here are four common reasons we hold back:
1. “My problems are too small to bother God”
The truth is, God cares about every detail of your
life. Scripture tells us He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.
We are invited to approach His throne with boldness and
confidence, not fear and hesitation.
2. “I haven’t been good enough”
God’s favor is not earned—it is given by grace. We don’t
come to Him in our own righteousness, but clothed in the righteousness of
Jesus.
Just as Jacob received the blessing while wearing Esau’s
garments, we receive God’s blessing because we are “in Christ.”
3. “If God wants it to happen, He’ll do it anyway”
While God is sovereign, Scripture clearly says:
“You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)
There are things God chooses to release in partnership
with our prayers.
4. “Material things are unspiritual”
Jesus Himself taught us to pray for daily bread.
Every good and perfect gift—spiritual or material—comes from God.
Four Ways God Blesses Us
Scripture shows that God blesses in multiple ways:
1. Through the hand of people
Joseph’s rise—from slave to second-in-command—came through
God working in and through others. People can be instruments of God’s favor in
our lives.
2. Through supernatural provision
From manna in the wilderness to water from a rock, God can
intervene in ways no human effort can explain.
3. Through the work of our own hands
In the Promised Land, manna stopped—but God blessed the
Israelites’ labor. Faith does not replace effort; God blesses diligence and
obedience.
4. Even through the hands of enemies
Amazingly, God can cause opposition to become provision.
Israel left Egypt with gold and silver from the very people who oppressed them.
Living Like Jabez Today
Jabez teaches us that our past, our name, or our limitations
do not determine our future. Faith does.
God is inviting us to:
- Ask
boldly
- Trust
deeply
- Live
generously
- Expect
abundantly
As we begin each new season, the challenge is simple yet
profound:
What is one big thing you are believing God for?
Write it down. Pray for it consistently. Trust God boldly.
Because the same God who answered Jabez still delights in answering His children today.
