Step out in Faith!

Based on 1 Chronicles 4-6, John 6:1-21

"And Jabez was more honourable 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

Amidst a list of many, many generations of family members, Jabez stood out. He stepped out in faith & made such a bold statement, that the list of genealogies paused to give him some honor for honoring God. Even though he may have been born in sorrow, that doesn't mean he doesn't share the same God & Father of us all! The One who is able to raise us out of that! The question is, will we proclaim our trust, or leave it in the dust?

"The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him." 1 Chronicles 5:18‭-‬20

These men above received a special shout-out in The Word as well, and it was because of their shout & cry to The Lord in battle! Just like Jabez, they were desperate. Sorrowful. They were also willing to fight for the cause & do whatever they could do, trusting God to do the rest! As a wise saint has often said, God is not going to help us until we do all we can do to help ourselves first! That doesn't mean we don't get unexpected blessings every so often, but God created with our abilities for a reason!

"When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do." John 6:5‭-‬6

Jesus tested this with the apostle Philip. Jesus asked how they'd feed such a large group of people...but the only way was to trust in Him for a miracle! It couldn't be calculated, bought, or baked right then & there...and Philip said what they had was not sufficient. But Jesus IS sufficient! He is enough! Jabez called it out amidst a family history of sorrow! Those mighty men of valor called it out amidst a dangerous battle! Why should feeding 5,000 be any different!?

"And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would." John 6:11

God worked miraculously in the Old & New Testaments, and He works miraculously now. Will we step out in faith, pushing doubt aside? No matter what rejection we might face from others, God comes to us with open arms!