Jabez's Need in Jesus' Name

“And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.   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 4:9,10).  “And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). 

Since Jabez was a man who came

Into this world causing sorrow,

His mother gave to him this name,

A name no patriarch would borrow.

His name defined meant “causing grief”,

And thus his name should bring to mind

That life is sorrowful and brief

That bears the curse upon mankind.

But Jabez was a man who knew

That God would hear the earnest prayer

To bless a life that would pursue

His will and His protective care.

But how can a man expect such favor

In such a place by evil cursed?

Behold God’s answer in our Savior

That satisfies our longing thirst!

Since JESUS was the One God sent,

We ought to know that name as well:

“Jehovah-saved” is what it meant:

He came to save our souls from hell!

Ah, this is where our need begins:

True blessing never could proceed

Unless He saved us from our sins

To thereby meet our deepest need!

Though Jabez could have asked for stars,

Or yet another universe,

He prayed the prayer we own as ours:

Salvation from sin’s dreadful curse!

We find in You, O precious Lord,

Your gracious answer from above: 

The ransom we could not afford

And blessings of eternal love!