Today’s Key Scripture

“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.”

— 1 Chronicles 4:10

What does God envision for you?

There is a powerful account in the Old Testament about man who was born in sorrow. Scripture says that his mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain” (1 Chronicles 4:9).

As the boy grew, he learned that just because he was born in misery doesn’t mean he must live that way forever. Jabez asked the Lord to give him a new vision, to widen his borders. It was a straightforward prayer of a man who seemed to feel both comfortable and confident in God’s presence.

What happened? The Bible says, “God granted him what he requested” (verse 10).

So, what does God envision for you?

The apostle Paul wrote, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you” (Philippians 3:14-15).

Today, set your sights as high as the heavens, then allow God to reveal His vision for your life as you spend time in His precious presence.

 

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, I seek Your vision for my life. I pray for Your wisdom as I press toward Your goal, Your prize, and Your upward call. Help me remember what is truly important, even as You use me to reach out to precious souls who are without You as Savior and Lord. May they turn to you as You seek to save those who need You most. Grant that I will be a living witness for You. And may I rest upon Your promises, day by day, to be unafraid to move boldly in Your light, even as I proclaim salvation through You. I pray all this in the name of Jesus, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.