Against All Odds
Wisdom Devotion
Sunday Mar 24, 2024
Topic:
Text: 1 Chronicles 4:10, MSG
Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: “Bless me, O bless me! Give me land, large tracts of land. And provide your personal protection—don’t let evil hurt me.” God gave him what he asked.
Because his birth caused his mother so much pain, she named her son Jabez, which means “pain, sorrow, suffering.” Every time someone said his name, they were prophesying defeat and failure, inferiority and insecurity. Her estimate of what his life would be like was very low. But despite that negative label, he had the boldness to ask big, that God would bless him with abundance and protection, which God did.
We all face times when the dream seems too great, the problem too strong, the opposition too powerful. People rule us out and say, “It’s never going to happen. You don’t have the resources or come from the right family. The medical report is not good.” All the facts say, “It’s impossible,” but God will have you underestimated on purpose.
When it seems the least likely, as with Jabez, that’s when He shows up the greatest. Don’t get discouraged when you’re underestimated; it’s a setup. God put you in that position to show Himself strong. When you defy the odds, everyone will know His favor is on your life.
Prayer
“Father, thank You that when the odds are against me, You are for me. Thank You that when I’m being underestimated, nothing and no one is more powerful than You, and that I can dare to pray bold prayers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Pst Francis & Ify Udeh
What a reminder of how important our name is. This devotional blessed me.
What a reminder of how important our name is. This devotional blessed me.