Enlarge My Territory
“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.” (1 Chronicles 4:10)
In 1 Chronicles 4:9 the Bible points out that Jabez was named after the pain and sorrow that the past generation experienced. Sometimes we indirectly carry the bad experiences of the past generation in our hearts. Sometimes, others push their limitations and poor choices on our lives. Sometimes the negative experiences of the past are engrained into the DNA of your personality.
Maybe, your parents continued to remind you of the pain that they’ve experienced. Maybe those around you continued to recall negative moments of the past. Although the name – Jabez meant sorrow, he did not allow the limitations of his parents’ story limit him on pursuing for more and asking God for an enlarged territory.
Notice, the bold move of Jabez, he asked God to not only enlarge his existing territory, but to bless him indeed – meaning to bless him above and beyond what he can conceive or imagine. Jabez refused to let the limitation of his name or what others thought about him to stop or limit him – he wanted more.
He wanted to expand beyond what was known to the present and past generations. He wanted to expand beyond what was even known to him. Jabez, wanted to stretch out for more. Although, it is not recorded why Jabez asked for an expanded territory, nor is it recorded what prompted Jabez to ask God for more. What is recorded, is the faith of Jabez to ask God for enlarged borders. Jabez had the faith to ask beyond his current situation.
You Have What You Say
“A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.” (Proverbs 18:20)
Jabez asked God for the seemingly improbable, an enlarged territory, an expanded border. God granted Jabez what he requested. Jabez had the faith to ask. What has God planted in your heart that you’re afraid to ask for? What dreams and God-Given desires has God placed in your heart that he wants to manifest in your life that you’re afraid to open your mouth to ask for?
Jabez’s name meant sorrow, in fact every time someone called his name it could have reminded him of his mother’s pain. He could have very well let his name debilitate him from asking God for more. Before Jabez was named by his parents, before he was formed in his mother’s womb, God knew of his mom’s sorrow. God knew that his mom would name her son Jabez out of her negative experiences.
However, God allowed his mom to name her son Jabez. God knew about your misfortune, obstacles and challenges before you were ever conceived. God has given you life, grace and even a measure of faith to ask him for what seems – to you – to be impossible. Ask him. Open your mouth and ask for more.
Diligence Is Instrumental In Sustained Expansion
“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” (Proverbs 12:24)
Diligently steward your expansion. Put your hand to the plow. Steward over what’s in your hand today so when the expansion comes, you’re prepared to handle the increase. The principles and lessons that you’ve learned with what’s under your care today will carry with you when your territory expands. God doesn’t want you to stress when the expanded harvest comes. The stewardship and diligence skills that you’ve acquired today will prepare you to manage tomorrow’s harvest.
Most people want an expanded territory but don’t have the work ethic to keep the harvest that God has given to them. When God blesses you with more territory, whether that’s increase in wealth, prominence and/or opportunity it’s important to steward the opportunity well. God has graced you to steward the resources, opportunities and gifts well. Do you have the faith to execute in the area(s) that God has assigned to you? Your diligence and obedience will cause you to prosper. Your slothfulness, disobedience and fear will cause you delay and forfeit your Destiny.
Stay Obedient
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)
God is with you. When you follow His Words He will lead and direct your path. God has given you the strength to overcome and endure every obstacle that comes your way. When you’re taking new ground for The Kingdom, and you’re led by God, He will lead you and instruct you on how to overtake and strategically conquer every area you’re called to conquer. When you’re entering into uncharted territory, be of good courage, He is with you and He won’t let you down. Don’t allow fear to overtake you when, you’re trying to overtake a new territory. When God is with you, no enemy, demonic force or strategic weapon of the enemy can disrupt your progress. When God is for you, who can be against you? When God has commanded you to take a territory, take on a new venture or to step out on faith in any area of your life, trust Him. He will not lead you astray.
A Double Minded Man
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8)
Focus on His Word and He will order and guide your footsteps. With each step that you take know that He is with you. Take courage in Him and know that your steps are ordered. A double minded man is an unstable man in all his ways. A double minded man’s heart is divided, and has divided worship interests. One who is double minded wants to serve God while fulfilling the lusts of their flesh. Their flesh and their spirit are at war with God and His Word.
God cannot trust those who are double minded. Those who are doubled minded hearts are perverse and the very territory that God has commanded them to steward now becomes their god. Double mindedness will cause you to worship the “created thing”, instead of The True and Living God – The Creator of all things. When a man is double minded, he is unstable and God cannot entrust Him with more territory if he wants to consume it among his lusts. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:3)
Trust God
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, simply say these words: Lord Jesus, I recognize that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ died and rose from the grave, just for me. I repent of my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ’s Blood washes me and cleanses me from all unrighteousness. In Christ, I am a new creature. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen.
This article was written by Vance Jackson who serves on the leadership team of Word of Life Christian Ministries in Detroit, MI. Vance is a successful businessman, speaker and writer and leads Bible studies on topics ranging from Marriage to Faith, Family, Business, Stewardship, Emotional Healing and Leadership.
