SOAP 1 Chronicles 4: Bold Faith

Bold Faith

1 Chronicles 4

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “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, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV

Books have been written about this verse so I do not expect my thoughts to be any grander. What I love about SOAPing is that it is personal. It is taking God’s Word and applying it right now. If I SOAPed the same chapter next week, I may see a different way to apply it. Jesus truly works through His Words because all of them are FULL of wisdom.

Jabez exhibits great faith when he prays this to God. His name meant pain. He lived life knowing that his mother gave him that name and pain is how his life started. When I read these short verses about Jabez, I don’t read about him living in that pain. I read about him choosing not to be defined by his beginning. He is not defined by what he sees.

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT

I think Jabez followed the concept in this verse. He fixed his gaze upon God and did not let anyone else’s thoughts or his own thoughts of himself define him. He lived and spoke with faith that was greater than him.

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

I know Jabez pleased God with this prayer. He was not only asking for blessing, he was asking to be defined by God and not by man.

I don’t know what Jabez’s life was like. He may have had many troubles or he may have had few troubles before this prayer. But, at this moment, he was calling on God to change his life trajectory. He had to be brave and full of faith and, likely, full of Godly fear to bring that request. He would not have prayed those words if he did not believe it was possible.

God knows so much more than we see.

What brave prayer will you pray today?

Here is mine:

Jesus, You are so good to me. I have all that I need. I have the things, I have health, I have family, I have friends. I am so grateful every morning that I wake up that I can walk, that I can talk, that I can see, that I can hear. Yet, I know that You have bigger plans for me. I know that I often make decisions that don’t align with those plans. I know my thoughts about who I am rightnow often get in the way of who You want me to become. I am often blinded. Jesus, I am asking for You to open my eyes. Expand my knowledge of You. Expand my life in the ways that You want it expanded. As sure as I am of Your love, I am equally sure that I have chosen paths that You would not have chosen for me. I want to be on Your path now. I don’t know what that looks like, but I want you to change me. To search me. To define me. To continue to mold me. I want these things because I know that You want more for me. I know that when I am living in Your purpose, I can be a part of leading others to You. I can make a difference that is guided by You. Boldly, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.