"DON'T CALL ME SORROWFUL, CALL ME BLESSED"

TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 4:9-10

I.  INTRODUCTION

	If you can, imagine with me, as we roll back the pages of history to the ledger of the Chronicler's birth records of God's people.  As we turn the pages, our eyes afix upon a young woman, who has come to be with child, and for whatever reason, she is alone to bear this child in sorrow.  Apparently there was no father present to name the child, so it is left up to her to name this man-child.  She gives him a name, that for all practical purposes, depicts her hard labor to deliver this life into the world.

	Much like Rachel, who named her second born, Benoni.  Jacob changed the name and called him Benjamin (Genesis 35:16-18).

	* Benoni - Son of my pain
     	* Benjamin - Son of my right hand (or Son of the South wind, blessing)

	But this child called Jabez was not to fulfill his destiny as a man of sorrow.  Oh no!  But Jabez was a man of a different breed - a man cut from a different mold!  For the Bible said he "was more honorable than all his brethren.  His life and character was so great that not only did man notice, but God took note of it, and had it written here that Jabez was more honorable than his brethren!
 
	* There are some things that are born out of pain and sorrow that we hastily label as "sorrowful and painful!"  And we leave such things recorded on the ledgers of our mind as something we did not like and wish we could forget!

	*  But God knows that through the pains of struggle, inside there is a life of greatness that is about to be delivered!  And God calls it honorable and worthy!  Don't call it sorrowful!  Call it blessed!

	*  It is always through struggle that we find strength.  It is always through pain that we find power.  And it is always through adversity that we find approval!

	*  Not much was recorded about Jabez's life except for these few verses, but God took his life and recorded it's greatness into a brief, yet powerful summary!

II.  BODY

       A.  The most notable thing about Jabez was that he was a man of prayer!  In Luke 18:1, Jesus spake a parable unto his disciples to this end, "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint!"

             1.  He prayed intelligently:  For he called upon the God of Isreal!

             2.  He prayed earnestly:  For he cried out saying, "Oh! that thou wouldest"

             3.  He prayed definitely:  For his request was that God would "bless him."

             4.  He prayed effectually:  For God granted his request!

JAMES 5:16- "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

	*  Men of prayer hold God's attention!
	*  Men of prayer find audience with God's presence and power!
	*  Men of prayer see the unseen!
	*  Men of prayer conquer the unconquerable!
	*  Men of prayer grasp God's vision!
	*  Men of prayer shake the gates of hell!
	*  Men of prayer hear from God and they receive the blessing!

	Former President Ronald Reagan made this statement at one of the White House prayer breakfasts:  "There is nothing impossible for man, if he will only join himself in prayer to God!"

        B.  Four Great Petitions In Jabez's Prayer

             1.  A prayer for blessing - "Oh, that thou wouldst bless me."

                  *  It was a request for spiritual power.
	      *  It was a request for spiritual victory.
                  *  It was a request for supernatural power "in deed."

             2.  A prayer for enlargement - "Enlarge my coasts."

                  *  Speaks of his dissatisfaction of his present attainments - "I want more of God in my life that ever before!"
                  *  Speaks of added responsibility.
                  *  Speaks of battles unfought.
                  *  Jabez was laying hold on the blessings of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-2).
                  *  Read ISAIAH 54:1-5

             3.  A prayer for God's companionship - "That Thine hand might be with me"

                  *  He had a desire for relationship more than just having the blessing.
                  *  He recognized his need of Devine leadership.
                  *  ROMANS 14:17 - "Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."


             4.  A prayer for a sanctified life - "That thou wouldst keep me from evil, that it might not grieve me!"

                  *  Jesus taught us how to pray for this deliverance from evil!
 

III.  CLOSING

      	The result of Jabez's prayer?  God granted his request!