Week after September 20- Ebenezer

 

Then Samuel took a STONE and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”   (1Samuel 7:12)

 

Last Sunday, Tim Grant preached an exceptional sermon for a Homecoming crowd at Goldsboro Friends Church. Being that it was a special day for the church, with many folks returning to visit who had moved to other cities and places, the message was very appropriate. 

Tim pointed out how long ago, the prophet, Samuel, set up that stone, not just as a commemoration, but also as a reminder. When people in the future saw that stone, they should remember what God had done for them. In moments of testing, human beings often forget that God has brought us this far!

Living presents us with challenges, problems, sadness, failures, and despair. In those times, we sometimes forget about the good times, the successes, and victories. It is the combination of those events that is a real picture of our existence. 

In a later time, God was leading His people across the Jordan River to face an upcoming battle at Jericho. At that particular time of year, the Jordan was at flood stage: the water was deep and wide and dangerous. But God reminded those people of what He had done at the Red Sea, when He parted the Sea and they crossed on dry ground. Once again, He parted the waters for them, and after crossing, they picked up 12 large stones, piling them up on the far side of the river, as a monument reminder for future times. 

In 2Samuel 7: 18, the shepherd boy who faced lions, bears, and Goliath, and became the great King David, went into the house of God, sat down and prayed this: “Who am I, and what is my family, Lord, that you have brought me this far”?  We need reminders.

 

I am not repeating pastor Tim’s message, and I certainly could not improve on it. But the point is that we should reflect and remember “signposts” along our way that strengthen and shout to us that God has seen us through to this point. There is no indication that He would fail us now. He deserves our trust, faith, and devotion. 

In Quaker churches we sing an old hymn written by Robert Robinson in 1757: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. It is a stirring song and tune.  I can hear the voices chiming in loudly- “Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by Thy help I’m come.!

As a kid, I wondered who Ebenezer was, and today, I suspicion that many who mouth those words from the hymnbook page, have no idea what it means?

Thus far, the Lord has helped you. Will you remember and respond to that fact when you face whatever challenge comes tomorrow? 

 

 God has been faithful. Pray about your faithfulness to Him. 

Mike Wall