God Has A Different Plan For You
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’ 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.” - 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Today’s key passage of Scripture references a man named Jabez. Jabez literally meant “pain.” Every time this man heard his name, he was hearing people literally call him pain. This was someone who did not have a father in the picture, and this is someone who the text says, “was more honorable than his brothers,” leading us to believe his brothers were a little shady.
Yet, despite his mother naming him “pain,” his brothers being shady, and not having a father in the picture, Jabez was different. The passage says he, “cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh that you would bless meant enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free of pain.’”
This was a man who knew what pain was all about. It was all around him. His mother obviously had experienced much pain, considering that is what she named her son. His brothers likely experienced pain being less honorable. And yet, after Jabez requested to be pain-free and for God to enlarge his territory and be with him, keeping him from harm, God grants this request.
Can you believe it? A man had pain all in his family. It was the way things were for years. Yet, God had a different plan for Jabez. And you know what, God has a different plan for you, too.
Have you ever been frustrated because of something that was passed down to you? Maybe you weren’t as tall as you wanted to be or as good-looking as you wished to be. Maybe your father or mother was a drug addict or an alcoholic. Maybe you have made excuses for them, that it is just “in my family,” almost as a way to justify the cards you have been dealt.
I’m here to let you know that God has a different plan for you! You do not have to be like your friends or your family. Step in and embrace His plan specially designed just for you!
Today’s key passage of Scripture references a man named Jabez. Jabez literally meant “pain.” Every time this man heard his name, he was hearing people literally call him pain. This was someone who did not have a father in the picture, and this is someone who the text says, “was more honorable than his brothers,” leading us to believe his brothers were a little shady.
Yet, despite his mother naming him “pain,” his brothers being shady, and not having a father in the picture, Jabez was different. The passage says he, “cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh that you would bless meant enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free of pain.’”
This was a man who knew what pain was all about. It was all around him. His mother obviously had experienced much pain, considering that is what she named her son. His brothers likely experienced pain being less honorable. And yet, after Jabez requested to be pain-free and for God to enlarge his territory and be with him, keeping him from harm, God grants this request.
Can you believe it? A man had pain all in his family. It was the way things were for years. Yet, God had a different plan for Jabez. And you know what, God has a different plan for you, too.
Have you ever been frustrated because of something that was passed down to you? Maybe you weren’t as tall as you wanted to be or as good-looking as you wished to be. Maybe your father or mother was a drug addict or an alcoholic. Maybe you have made excuses for them, that it is just “in my family,” almost as a way to justify the cards you have been dealt.
I’m here to let you know that God has a different plan for you! You do not have to be like your friends or your family. Step in and embrace His plan specially designed just for you!
Free Email Devotional - Sign Up Now
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Why Me?Ordinary but ChosenYour Past Prepares You for God's FutureWhy Not Me?The Burden of PreparationIt’s Bigger Than YouJust Show UpAnchored in PrayerBreakthrough Was Always God's PlanWaiting on Your BreakthroughTransformative Power of PrayerThe Art of PrayerThe God of BreakthroughKryptoniteLifelineThe Dare of DependenceWho Needs Your Prayers?Soaring in PrayerObedience Through PrayerThe Power of Prayer in Overcoming TemptationIs Your Heart Prepared for God's Mighty Work?The Joy of SimplicityPatient in Affliction, Faithful in PrayerBurning PrayersWhile You Wait...He WorksChoosing His Will with Free WillEquipped for Victory: Overcoming Sin from WithinEverydayThe Great I AMSaying Yes to GodOrdinary People, Extraordinary God
February
Freedom from LabelsFaithful Before the AppointmentLabels Don’t Define YouPut Off the ArmorRun Your Own RaceA Champion, Not a ContestantThe Story’s Not OverWhat Really MattersWinning the Battle WithinYou Are Positioned for a PurposeYour Worth Is SetYou Are EnoughTake Off the MaskOn Purpose, For a PurposeKnown. Loved. Enough.What Are You Afraid of Losing?What Are You Trying to Hide?What Are You Still Trying to Prove?What Are You Chasing?Stop Faking ItAre You Living in Fear?Stop Hiding Behind FearLive in God’s TruthOne OpportunityYour Identity Is in ChristYou’re His WorkmanshipYour Weakness Doesn’t Disqualify YouYou’re in God’s Providence
March
Stop Living the LiesGod Put You HereGod Didn’t Make a MistakeYou Belong HereTake Off the MaskBreaking Free from Imposter SyndromeWhat Are You Afraid of Losing?What Are You Still Trying to Prove?Leading with HumilityLeading with WisdomStop Holding Yourself BackWho Are You Really?The Cost of Believing the LieT.H.I.N.K.Failure Is Not FinalThere is a Dream Inside of YouIt’s Time to Dream AgainThe Journey to Your DreamBe Careful Who You Share Your Dream WithWhen the Dream Leads to a PitThey Can’t Steal God’s FavorFaithful in the Small ThingsIntegrity When No One (and Everyone) is WatchingWhose Name Are You Building?God Will Honor Your ObedienceGod Will Honor Your ObedienceGod Has Not Forgotten YouA Renewed Mind Changes EverythingA Mind Set on the SpiritChange Starts from the Inside OutThe Power of BeliefA Renewed Mind Sees Differently
No Comments