I Chronicles 3-4

"And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers ..." Jabez is now quite famous, and his prayer adorns bookmarks and quilts. It is a very primitive prayer, surprising in its selfishness: "that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border" (v10). Yet, "God granted him what he requested." We are reminded that God responds to all those who seek Him honestly, from the heart. We don't need to pretend to be holier than we are.

Our desires for success and comfort are natural. Rather than pursuing those dreams apart from Him, God calls us to deepest fulfillment in Him.