A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers   

1 Chronicles 4:9, 10, “And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bare him with sorrow.’  And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!  And God granted him that which he requested.”  You may have heard of Wilma Rudolph. She was a successful Olympic athlete in the 1960’s, but most do not know her story. She was born the 16th of 18 children in a poor black family in middle Tennessee, weighing only 4 lbs. and 1 oz. At the age of 4 she contracted polio and lost the use of her left leg. The battle with polio left her weakened and she immediately developed chronic pneumonia and scarlet fever. Even though she managed to survive those deadly diseases, she spent the bulk of her childhood as a cripple. It was only through years of therapy, to which her mother carried her, on her one day off a week, and ardent determination, that Wilma was able to regain the use of her left leg.   She went on to play high school basketball setting a single season record for most points scored: 803 in 25 games. In 1960, Wilma Rudolph represented the United States in the Olympics, which was held in Rome, Italy and she won gold medals in all three of the events in which she competed. In both the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash, she finished at least three yards in front of her closest competitor. She tied the world record in the 100-meter and set a new Olympic record in the 200. And in the 400-meter relay she brought her team from behind to win the gold.  She rose above her circumstances.  In our Scripture lesson today, Jabez, whosename literally means “sorrow,” or “pain,” rises above his poor heritage and circumstances to be all God intended for him to be.  What about you today?  You can either use your circumstances as an excuse for remaining as you are or use them as a catalyst to propel you to the destiny God intends for you to fulfill, with each new day.