Bible Reading1 Chronicles 4:10 “Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.”
[00:05:29]Joshua 4:23-24 “For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”
[00:06:37]Isaiah 59:1 “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;”
[00:16:24]Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.”
[00:17:38]Numbers 20:7-12 “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.’ And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, ‘Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?’ And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.’”
[00:19:25]Luke 7:19-23 “And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ And when the men had come to him, they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’’ In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.’”
[00:26:47]Daniel 3:17-18 “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’”
[00:33:29]Observation questions- In Jabez’s prayer, what specific things does he ask God for, and where does the request for God’s hand fit into that prayer? [00:05:29]
- According to Joshua 4:23-24, what did God do for Israel, and what reason is given for that intervention?
- In Numbers 20:7-12, what did God tell Moses to do, what did Moses actually do, and what words showed that something had shifted in his heart? [00:19:25]
- In Luke 7:19-23, what question did John send to Jesus from prison, and how did Jesus answer him? [00:26:47]
Interpretation questions- If God’s hand is mighty and personal, but also tied to God’s glory, how should “let your hand be with me” be understood? Is it mainly a request for comfort, or a request for God to act for his name in a person’s life? [00:17:02]
- Moses still saw water come from the rock, yet God rebuked him sharply. What does that reveal about how seriously God takes his holiness and his glory, especially when people in visible spiritual roles begin to act like the power is theirs? [00:21:56]
- John the Baptist knew who Jesus was, yet he struggled when he remained in prison. What does that show about how disappointment and delay can affect even sincere faith? [00:28:22]
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said, “God is able… but even if he doesn’t.” What does that kind of faith understand about God’s power, God’s freedom, and true worship? [00:33:29]
Application questions- Prayer should not be the last resort after every other option has been exhausted. When a real need hits, what do you usually run to first—planning, research, other people, distraction, or prayer? What would it look like to put prayer first this week? [00:07:43]
- God’s hand is not controlled by human wishes but by God’s purpose. Where have you been most tempted to tell God how he must act, or to expect him to repeat in your life exactly what he did for someone else? [00:12:09]
- Giants can become platforms for God’s glory. What “giant” or hard place in front of you right now might actually be a place where God wants to form you, stretch you, or show his faithfulness? [00:24:33]
- Offense can grow when God does not intervene the way someone hoped. Have you ever felt disappointment, confusion, or even offense toward God because he did not answer the way you expected? What helped, or what still needs healing there? [00:28:22]
- God does not share his glory. Are there any subtle ways you may be taking credit for what only God could do, or giving a person the kind of praise that belongs to God alone? [00:17:38]
- Faith remembers the past acts of God. What are some specific moments—either from Scripture or from your own life—where God clearly carried, rescued, provided, or strengthened you? How could remembering those moments help you face today’s need? [00:34:30]
- Sometimes the greater miracle is not that the mountain moves, but that God’s hand proves enough. In what area of life is God perhaps teaching you deeper dependence instead of immediate escape? [00:38:11]
