Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
Jabez was a man remembered by his mother as one who brought her pain. We are not sure whether the pain was only a physical one or also an emotional one. He was named “Jabez”, which means sorrow or pain, to remind him that he caused pain whenever his name was called!
How tragic and sad it is for a person, whose life is characterized by “causing pain”. Think of the ridicule and shame one must bear throughout life. However, the Bible tells us that Jabez refused to accept that as the final outcome of his life. He refused to be defined as accursed, one who causes pain. He cried out to the God of Israel. He sought blessing, enlargement of territory, the presence of God’s strong right hand and protection. All these he lacked because of the curse upon his life. Above all, he pleaded that he might not cause others pain. He sought to turn the table on curses, and the Lord granted him what he requested!
A curse is a bondage that locks a person in a cycle of misfortune and fruitlessness. It cuts a person off from the blessings of the Father. Just as Jabez, you too can ask the Lord to bless you and break the curse that separates you from the abundant blessings of your Heavenly Father. Our confidence of such freedom is grounded on the finished work of the Cross of Jesus:
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14)
Not only that the curse of sins is broken, the effects of curse can be reversed. You can turn the table of the curse of sins in your life!