I Chronicles 4:9-10 “9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, ‘Because I bore him with pain.’ 10 Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!’ And God granted him what he requested.”

NAMES

What a horrible name! Jabez! His mother named him Jabez! That means grieving or sorrowful. How would you like to be named Grief or Sorrow? All your life you would carry that name, and people would wonder why your parents named you that.

But look what happened. Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. He prayed for the Lord to bless him with land, provision and protection, and He did! The Lord must have seen something in Jabez worthy of blessing. He MUST have been an honorable man.

We spend weeks if not months picking out our children’s names. Most of the time we use a family name, but not always. Sometimes we just pick names we like. I have known children who were named after a food their mom craved while she was pregnant. Seriously!

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children, however, must make a name for themselves in the way they live. The most honorable and respected name means nothing if they live in such a way to bring shame on it. My Dad would say a man’s word is his bond. In other words, keep your word. If you say you will do something, do it and do it well.

But the most important name our children can carry with them is Jesus. Being named after Him (Christian) is the most respected name. Being known as His child is the honor. Even though the world may curse and spit at the name of Jesus and for what He stands for, we will wear that name proudly and try our best to “rename” as many as we can while we are here on this earth. We can share that name over and over, and it never loses its value. So, today share that name with someone. Help them to be seen as honorable in the site of God.