Welcome to “Be Still Saturday!” Sit down with a cup of coffee, or tea, or hot chocolate, or even soda, doesn’t matter, and spend a few minutes letting God speak to you through his word. Each week, I will share a single verse or passage that blessed my heart as I read through the Bible this year.

To start off, I want to share with you the scripture that God placed on my heart to be my “verse of the year.” My word for 2022 is Broaden, based on I Chronicles 4:10 (KJV).

“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.”

I Chronicles 4:10

I noticed Jabez asked God for four things. These things are my prayer for 2022.

That thou wouldest…

1. Bless me indeed.
2. Enlarge my coasts.
3. Thine hand might be with me.
4. Keep me from evil.

Have you ever asked God to bless you? It’s easy to pray for God to bless our food, bless the missionaries… but it almost seems selfish to ask for blessings for ourselves, but here Jabez asked God to bless him and it says “And God granted him that which he requested.”

I’m asking God to “enlarge my coasts,” in other words, I’m asking him to broaden my outreach. In my mind, I’m thinking about my contacts, my blog followers… author stuff, but I’ve learned that God’s thoughts are not my thoughts. I’ll have to see what he has planned for me in 2022.

I’ve also learned that God is faithful. When I look back on the things He has brought me through, I’m grateful for His peace and for His presence. God is good. All the time. I want His presence in 2022.

And I’m asking him to keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me. This world is becoming more and more wicked every day. It’s hard not to be depressed when you reach of natural disasters in our nation, and news reports of shootings right and left. I’m asking Him to keep me and those I love safe in this fallen world.

What are you asking God for this year? Anything specific? Has God given you a word or a scripture to focus on this next year? I’d love to hear about it. Please leave a comment and tell me.

God bless you in 2022.