Untitled Sermon (2)

1 Chronicles 4:9 NKJV

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”

Origins of today’s pain and suffering need not determine or define tomorrow. Jabez’ mother, she who labeled him as Son of Pain was reacting to a moment of misery. She pinned him down as a baby and as a youth with an identifier that embedded itself, like an unsightly thorn, in the formative years of Jabez life. Most likely, his naming was an innocent reaction meant to be a reminder that she suffered, that his entrance to the world was marked by misery.

How many souls have lived down to their name?

Nabal: stupid, wicked fool.

Hophni: pugilist

Phineas: mouth of a serpent

Korah: ice, frozen over

When you recall childhood names hurled thoughtlessly, it’s easy to also recall the feeling associated. When you and I remember difficult events or circumstances, it’s the most natural reaction to slump right back into the impact it made as we were told (or told ourselves) that we were losers, failures, dumb, ignorant, or just plain stupid TO CAUSE THE DIFFICULTY.

The account of Jabez helps us break the cycle and realize that honor is available in the middle of suffering if we have enough desire to cry out in our prayer to God!