Trust Him!

    Sometimes our destiny seems mapped out for us. We may feel powerless to bring about change, yet in God change is possible. In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, we meet a man whose destiny seemed mapped out for him. It did not seem as if change could be possible yet, it was.
    This man’s name was Jabez. His mother had clearly experienced significant pain in childbirth to the point where she gave him his name, Jabez, which means "borne in pain."  Now, it is important to note, that in biblical times, a person’s name was important. Names were not chosen randomly. Care and consideration was taken in the choosing of a name for a child. 
    In Jabez’ case, unfortunately, and through no fault of his own, his mother chose to give him a name that reflected the difficulty she faced in giving birth to him. She could have chosen a name that would speak something positive in spite of the negative she had faced. But, she did not. 
    Here’s the thing: Jabez, in turn, also had a choice. He could choose to come into agreement with what his mother had spoken over him, or he could choose a different and more positive outcome. Verse 9 says that he was more honourable than his brothers. In this one verse we see the juxtaposition between a life of honour and a life destined for dishonour. In spite of what his mother had declared over his life, he clearly chose by his actions to be the opposite of the negative she had spoken. He was not living out his name. He was choosing to live an honourable life in spite of it. When people heard his name, they didn’t see a life that caused pain but the opposite. 
    Like Jabez, we too have a choice. We can choose to live a life that reflects our negative circumstances or we can choose to live a life of honour in spite of the negative that has come our way. I believe that’s called choosing to stand in spite of the challenges you are facing. It’s not easy to stand when challenges seem to be defining you. It’s not easy to stand when people look at you and expect a life bowed down by  negative circumstances. 
    The other interesting thing is that Jabez did not try to accomplish this task alone. Clearly, he had confidence in a God who is able to turn any negative situation around. His mother called him “borne in pain” but he called on the God who is able to reverse what his mother had spoken over and into his life. He did not use his name as an excuse to do evil, but rather chose to put his trust in a God who could make him better and more honourable than what his mother had spoken over him.
    He asked God to bless him and to enlarge his sphere of influence. He understood the curse hovering over his life and trusted God to reverse that curse and to bless him instead. He also trusted God to make him a positive influence and not a negative one. He asked God for His presence in his life. He understood that without God he could accomplish nothing good. And he trusted Him to keep him from harm. But, he ends off by begging God that he would not be a source of pain for others (v.10). Clearly, Jabez understood the power of the name his mother had given him but he realised that the only One to reverse that negative influence was God. It was his trust in God that moved God to answer his request.
    God is all-powerful and mighty and can accomplish the impossible. But I believe that God is moved to act on our behalf when we choose to put our trust in Him. With this attitude, we are telling God, "Only You can do this, I can’t and I trust You!" I really do think many times, that is all God wants from us - complete trust in Him. And when we put our trust in Him, He will amaze us with what He can and will do.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God just wants us to trust Him - trust that He knows best and that He has our best interests at heart. He loves us too much to give us anything less and will ensure that in spite of challenges, our life will be one of blessing and hope for all to see.
So, trust Him!

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