By: Cecil Lovelace
Title: WHEN GOD DOESN’T ANSWER
Text: I Chronicles 4:9-10
1 Chr 4:9 "And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow." 1 Chr 4:10: And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."And Jabez called on the God of Israel...""and Jabez called on the God of Israel.."Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed," enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me..,"Introduction:
(1) We are truly blessed by the testimonies we hear others give about how God has answered their prayer.
(2) We can also be blessed by the records we find in the Word of God where God answered prayer.
(3) This little story of a man named Jabez, here in I Chronicles 4:-9-10 is a good example of how God can and will answer our prayers. I believe if we study this closely we’ll find some things that will help us.
Let’s look at Jebez’ prayer in these two verses. So often people miss these two verses that tell us so much:
I. JABEZ CALLED ON THE RIGHT PERSON. V-10
Make no mistake about it, it does matter WHO you pray to. Prayers go unanswered and needs unmet because we tell everybody except God about our problems.
A. Only HE can do the impossible.
I can assure you HE can do for you what no one else can! Remember He is:
(1) The one who turned water into wine.
(2) The one who healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf, made the lame to walk and even raised the dead and made no charge for His cure! He can do what no one else can.
B. Only HE can move the unmovable.
When those burdens get so too heavy to bear, remember HE can! He can take away the load, the hurt, the pain in the heart, HE can!
Jabez prayed to the right person:
II. HE PRAYED ON A ONE TO ONE BASIS. V-9
A. He knew God was a personal God. We need to see God and salvation as a personal matter. He recognized HE was the one who needed help!
B. We need to pray for our self before we pray for others.
(1) I’ve seen folks who are great at praying for others but never pray for themselves. I have heard some say, "I rarely pray for myself, I spend my time praying for others." That sounds religious, but:
(2) If I don’t pray for myself, I am probably wasting my time praying for you.
III. HE PRAYED WITH GREAT EXPECTATION.
A. A large request doesn’t put God in a strain or heaven in a hurry.
(1) Your needs will never be bigger than God!
(2) Don’t forget the little things either. Things like food, and clothing, or personal items. He cares about everything that effects His children.
B. He gets glory for the things that people see are impossible for man to do.
(1) We get SO impatient sometimes and try to help him. (Especially when we are praying for him to save our loved ones). We need to keep watering the seed, but only he can bring conviction on their hearts and draw them to him.
(2) When a person who has had no previous concern for the Lord comes into the fold, you know GOD did it.
So, Jabez prayed to the right person (God) Prayed on a one to one basis; Prayed with great expectation (indeed) but also:IV. JABEZ PRAYED FOR PERSONAL BLESSINGS.
A. Some would say he prayed selfishly. But notice God DID answer his prayer.
B. There is nothing wrong with praying for God’s blessings on your own life. God knows whether or not you can handle it! Some have not because they ask not!
V. JABEZ PRAYED WITH CAUTION.
A. Blessings without the hand of God can be dangerous. If the average person were to suddenly become rich, they would be in a mess in their life.
B. Without HIS hand, we would become greedy.
We would want more to go with that we already have!
C. Without HIS hand, we would become puffed up on pride.
VI. JABEZ PRAYED FOR STRENGTH. V-10
"..keep me from evil..."
Here is a man who knew he was not invincible. He knew he was insufficient within himself! He knew his own personal limitations.
CONCLUSION:
Pray for great things: You won’t make it hard on God! What do you need from HIM today?
(1) Is it forgiveness: He’s waiting for you to ask!
(2) Is it deliverance: He’s waiting for you to surrender and ask!
(3) Is it peace in your heart? He’s waiting for you to lay that burden at His feet.
(4) Is it salvation? He’s waiting for you to come and ask.
V-10 "...bless me and enlarge my coasts.."
