We have all read of the man in 1 Chronicles 4:10 who was more honorable than his, brethren, Jabez by name. Oh, to be like Jabez! for God heard his prayer and granted him his request. Listen to his prayer once more, and let us offer it to God for ourselves. “Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand may be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep me from evil that it may not grieve me.” I was reading my favorite chapter in 2 Cor. 5., and studying it, when my eye suddenly glanced at the last line in chapter 6:13, and immediately this thought occurred to me to write about: “Be ye also enlarged.”
What a subject! We could read and read pages about enlargement, and yet leave it only half finished. Why did Jabez pray, “Enlarge my coast”? Someone may say it was covetousness. No, it was not. If it had been so, would God have granted him his request? No, indeed; it was believing and doing what God had ordered in days long before, when the Israelites were dividing Canaan. Each tribe had its portion, but they were told to enlarge it by driving out the Canaanites who persisted in remaining, and thus enlarging their coast.
Now, dear friends, let us see to it that our coast of belief is being enlarged, our faith in the Lord Jesus more strong, more increasing every day and night, never forgetting to pray for an increase. Thus enlarged, let us pray for more love, a daily increasing love for God’s people, for our relives, our friends and neighbors. Remember what the Lord Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:36, 37-39. The two great commandments are: “Love to God,” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Does anyone? Do I? May God grant it. Each day being enlarged for kindness to my neighbor, and thereby pleasing God.
Then we must never forget to pray that we may be enlarged in all the other graces. Read what are the fruits of the Spirit in. Galatians 5:22, 23. Nine fruits: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; all these, too, we must enlarge. With the hand of God upon us we may daily joy in Him and rejoice evermore: as the psalmist says, “Shout for joy.” Then let our prayers be enlarged, that all who know not the gospel may be brought to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of Hosts, the King of Glory.
“Be ye also enlarged.”
Emily P. Leakey.