1 Samuel 7:12 "Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and
Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."
The Lord had just rescued Israel (again!) from the armies of the
Philistines. God had thundered His judgement against the pagan army and
the men of Israel routed the confused soldiers. As the battle drew to a
close and the soldiers found their way home, Samuel the prophet found a
large stone and engraved on it a single word.... "Ebenezer".
Translated from Hebrew, it means, "stone of help".
This isn't the first time we see people setting visual reminders of
God's intervention. Jacob did it at Bethel after seeing the vision of
the angels ascending and descending from Heaven. Joshua did it in the
middle of the Jordan river as the Israelites crossed on the dry riverbed
into the Promised Land.
I think it's a good practice to set "Ebenezer stones" when God
intervenes at significant points of our lives. It may not be a stone
pillar. Maybe it's a photograph or a small memento. I need those
tangible items to remind me of God's faithfulness, of His providence and
protection, of His answers to prayer. Touching them, remembering,
restores my faith in times of doubt; it rekindles hope when I am
worried; it replaces fear with courage.
Lord, thank You for your faithfulness over the years. Thank You for
the reminders that keep me walking close to You. Please help me to live
today in an attitude of thanksgiving and peace. Amen.
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