February 28

And Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only You would bless me and enlarge my territory! May Your hand be with me and keep me from harm, so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted the request of Jabez. — 1 Chr 4:10 BSB

A coast is a boundary line, like the border of one land from another, or the edge of a country where it meets the sea. Every person who has been made spiritually alive has their own coast—a personal territory of inward experience set by the Holy Spirit within their conscience. Just as the Lord divided the tribes of Israel, giving them their inheritance by drawing lines (Psalm 78:55), He has done the same for each of His people, assigning them their portion of spiritual experience (Isaiah 34:17). This is like a tether, keeping each soul grounded within the boundaries God has given. Within these limits, they walk, feed, and rest. It is "the food convenient for him," the patch of pasture assigned to him. He cannot, and does not dare, to go beyond these limits, as doing so would strain and injure his sensitive conscience. Every attempt to boast in things beyond his measure, to take credit for experiences that are not his, cuts into and wounds this tender conscience.

But a person who is spiritually alive can't help but long for their coast to be expanded. They yearn for more light, more life, more feeling, more freedom, more knowledge of God in Christ, more faith, hope, and love. They want their narrow, confined heart to be enlarged—in prayer, in meditation, in communion with God, and in love for His people.

They're not content with the small amount of spiritual nourishment they’ve been given; they long for a greater measure of heavenly teaching. They desire more confidence as children of God, more access to Him, and more freedom from the fear that brings torment. “God will enlarge Japheth, and he will live in the tents of Shem” (Genesis 9:27). “I will run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free” (Psalm 119:32).

God had promised Israel that He would enlarge their borders and give them all the land promised to their ancestors. That’s why, after telling them to “Sing, O barren one, who has not borne children,” He adds, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch out your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes” (Isaiah 54:1-2).

Do you have these deep desires for more light, love, and freedom, so that the world, pride, lust, unbelief, greed, and carnality won’t close off your heart? Do you long to know the love of Christ, which surpasses all knowledge, and to be filled with all the fullness of God? These are good desires, very different from arrogantly pushing forward and talking about freedom while still being a slave to sin. It’s one thing to look through the gates of a park and long to enjoy the estate inside, and another to break in and trespass. To look at a chest isn’t the same as owning the treasure inside, but it’s better to wait and ask for the key than to force it open and steal. Those who walk the narrow path between laziness and arrogance will, like Jabez, cry out in their hearts, “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory!”