Word for the day

7/11/24

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "because I bore him in pain." 1 Chronicles 4:9

This verse tells us of a man who stood above the rest. He was a little more honorable than his brothers. It doesn't say his brothers were not honorable, but he was a little more honorable.

Jabez was a "Gimper." A Gimper is a person who adds "gimp" or "decorative trim" to a piece of fabric or upholstery. He or she takes something ordinary and makes it beautiful.

A Gimper is one who does a little bit more than others do.

"A little difference makes all the difference"

Jabez being a little more honorable, and his prayer to God, are the only things mentioned of him in all of the Bible. He wasn't a king David or a Paul. He was simply a Gimper.

His prayer: "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."

His prayer wasn't as self-centered as it may appear. To bless in the biblical sense means to ask for or to impart supernatural favor. When we ask for God's blessing, we're not asking for more of what we could get for ourselves. We're crying out for the wonderful, unlimited goodness that only God has the power to know about or give to us. This kind of richness is what the writer was referring to in Proverbs." The Lord's blessing is our greatest wealth; all our work adds nothing to it." Proverbs 10:22

We all would like God to do for us the things Jabez prayed for, but are we willing to be Gimpers? Are we a little more honorable than those around us? Do we give the extra effort, put in just a little extra time. Are we a little more honorable than those around us?

Remember, "A little difference makes all the difference."

Heavenly Father help us to be Gimpers today. To pursue You just a little more than others do. To shine just a little brighter for You than others do. To do just a little more for others, to give our employers just a little more than our co-workers do. Lord bless us indeed. enlarge our territories and may Your hand be upon us. Keep us from evil that we may not cause pain. In Jesus name we pray. AMEN