Jabez: Delighting in the Lord and Blessing

1 Chronicles 4:9
9Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, "Because I bore him with pain." 10Now 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.…

Bless me
"Oh that You would bless me indeed...."  Some biblical scholars believe that bold prayers like this are wrong and self seeking.  Yet, the Bible says that Jabez was more honorable than his brothers.  We all know folks who care only for themselves having no heart for God or people and as a result we might tend to shrink from such a prayer. On the other hand notice God's verdict at the end..."And God granted him what he requested."  

The patriarchs understood blessing and verbally blessed their children believing that blessing held great weight.  Jewish parents today still recite blessing over their children especially at the Sabbath meal.  We don't know a lot about Jabez except that he was an honorable man and that God answered his prayer.  When we pray for God to bless us we can believe that is exactly what he desires.   Psalms 34:4 tells us that when we delight in the Lord he will give us the desires of your heart.  Read in context one realizes that promise is not a free for all cart blanch promise.  Delighting in God is more than attending services, more than talking a certain religious language, more than the wearing of certain apparel and more than mental ascent to biblical doctrines.  Delighting in God is giving him your all, allowing him to transform your thinking, your actions and every facet of your being. 

Let's take a look at the verse in it's context.
3Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it...

God desires to bless His people and He desires His people to love Him with all their hearts.