I think I have mentioned this before, but I am reading my way through the Bible. I am following a Bible plan on youversion.com by the good people over at thebibleproject.com.
As I have been making my way through the Bible, I have been keeping notes about various names in the bible. These could be names of people or places. Usually they are names that have some sort of meaning behind them, so I write them down for future reference. here are a few of the names…
- Joseph named his sons: “Manasseh- Sounds like “God has made me forget”- Genesis 41:51 AND
- Ephraim- Sounds like “God has made me fruitful”- genesis 41:52
- Ishmael- (God Hears)- Genesis 16:11( for the Lord has heard your cry of distress- telling this to Hagar)
- El-Roi- the God who sees- Gen. 16:13
- “So that well was named Beer-lahai-roi (which means “well of the Living One who sees me”). It can still be found between Kadesh and Bered.”Genesis 16:14 NLT
- “Yahweh-Nissi” (which means “the Lord is my banner”- Exodus 17:15
- Immanuel means God with us- Matthew 1:23
The other day, I stumbled upon another name: Jabez.
Apparently Jabez’s mom had some complications, because the name means; “Distress” or “Pain”.
What a great way to enter this world. But, jabez didn't let this name define him. For we read in 2 Chronicles 4 “Jabez was more honourable than his brothers….. Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, 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.” (2 Chr. 4:9,10. niv)
I love this prayer! It’s simple, bold and extremely powerful.
Even though his name meant “pain” and/or “distress”, Jabez grew up to be a person of God, who did wonderful things for God. What were they?
We have absolutely no idea.
There is no record of him after these 2 verses. All we know is that Jabez gave his mama a hard time during birth, but went on to do wonderful things for God.
This is proof that you don’t have to let your past define you. This is proof that if you place your trust in God, He will use you in a powerful way. It may not look like what you think it will look like, but God will still use you for His good.
Paul gave us this promise in Romans 8: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (niv)
Your name probably isn’t Jabez. It’s probably not even Manasseh or Ephraim. But it can be “Child of God”.
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1,niv)
Whatever your name is— or isn’t- why don’t you spend some time this week asking God to use you where you are to reach people for Jesus.
You never know, God might grant your request!
