“… his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’” (1Chronicles 4:9b)  From birth, Jabez was marked with a name that literally meant – he will cause pain. But Jabez didn’t follow this sad prediction for his future. According to the next verse Jabez called on One who could change the negative prophetic pronouncement over his life. He asked God to change his nature: “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!” (V.10, TNKJ)

In the Bible, a name and the nature of the one who carries the name are linked to the destiny God intends. The change of nature Jabez received was a transfusion of the will of God replacing his mother’s careless action when she named him at birth. In effect, God changed his name by changing his nature. From that point on the name Jabez was changed spiritually to mean blessed, enlarged, and kept by God from evil and from causing pain! Even if the name is right but the nature is wrong, God will do the work, if asked. There’s no limit to the possibilities, even the miraculous, when it comes to fulfilling a God-given destiny – no limits whatsoever! All things are possible.

Amen.