Ask God Big, Ask Boldly!

God wants you to ask Him for the big and the bold. Just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it can’t be done or shouldn’t happen! Reading today’s devotion, the author mentioned Jabez. Then the Holy Spirit called to my remembrance the daughters of Zelophehad. I thought they both had big, bold requests that the Lord God granted. In the Book of I Chronicles 4:9:10, an honorable man named Jabez called on the God of Israel. His prayer wasn’t long but powerful! His prayer request, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory that Your Hand would protect and keep me that I may not cause pain.” in other words, that I may be a blessing.

Got A Need Ask God!

God granted Jabez’s request. He asked for an enlarged territory; as I read his prayer, I heard promotion. Was he asking for an upgrade? Greater possessions? Yes, Father, God wants you to be a blessing. Otherwise, these stories wouldn’t be in the Bible. This man Jabez whose name means he makes sorrow, is given to him by his mother due to his difficult birth ( I Chron. 4:9). Can you imagine having a name placed upon you by your mother that reminds the hearer and the speaker you caused pain? But God says, “he was more honorable than his brothers.” (I Chron. 4:9) This scripture hints at Jabez being viewed less by his mother, but the Lord heard and granted his bold prayer. 

The Audacious daughters of Zelophehad

 The daughters of Zelophehad were the only children their father who died. Being females, they couldn’t inherit from their father because he had no son; at least that was the tradition. These ladies approached the man of God Moses, which was a bold move, and asked, “Why should the name of our father be removed from among his father because he had no son? Please give us a possession among our father’s brother. Moses took the case before the Lord. The Lord said, “The daughters of Zelophehad speak what is right (Numbers 27:1-6).” I always have a hallelujah moment when I read the Lord said these girls speak what is right! Because the event goes against culture. These two incidences in the Old Testament talk about the heart of the Lord. In the New Testament, the believer is to come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). 

All Answered Prayers Start With Asking!

Jesus said, “Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be open to you. For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds and to him who knocks it shall be opened (Matt. 7:7-8).” The only requirement to receive from the Father is to ask in Jesus’ name. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John14:6). 

Jesus loves you, and He wants you to ask!