In the book of First Chronicles, the writer records around five hundred names. None of them receive a greater biography than the Jabez. That biography is only two verses, but it is impressive! Jabez was a great man of God. He was honorable, which means worthy of respect while living a life of faith and obedience. He was also spiritually alert. He was part of a community of faith, a prayer warrior, and rooted in the scriptures of his people. Undoubtedly, he was also properly mentored. Today, we call it being discipled. Someone had taught him, challenged him, and encouraged him while also being a role model. The result was he had learned to pray with chutzpah. The pronunciation of this Hebrew is “Hootspah.” Chutzpah is more than being strong-willed. It is audacious. A nerve that stops just short of being obnoxious. Check the story of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8.
With our southern manners, chutzpah is out of our comfort zones. Middle Easterners and Europeans know it very well. Why am I telling you this? It is because we often pray too timidly. Throughout the Gospels, we find Jesus praying with chutzpah and encouraging His followers to do the same. He also responded to these prayers. Check out Matthew 15:21-28. That parable of the widow who showed some chutzpah to get what she needed from the king was His invitation for us to persist in fervent, earnest prayer.
Do you pray with chutzpah? He is waiting to hear from you. Remember, God does not respond to a bull, but He is always inclined to those who love Him with a whole heart and seek first His Kingdom and righteousness. Check out James 1:2-8. If your heart is right, do not be afraid to ask with chutzpah. Be persistent! Be patient! Trust and obey!
