It's the end of another year.
Another 12 months, flown past.
As I look back, there is SO much for which I am thankful for. I can see so much goodness, from God's hand. So many blessings, that I couldn't begin to count them. Family, friends, fellowship. Our daily needs, of food, clothing and shelter.
We were considering, on the Lord's day, of the Prophet Samuel interceding for the children of Israel, when they were threatened by the Philistines. Samuel called out to God for them, and God rescued them, as He so often did.
After the Philistines were defeated, Samuel created a memorial, a stone - one would imagine it was big enough for all to see, and know what it was. He raised an Ebenezer. To some, that may sound strange. Why name a stone Ebenezer? Isn't that the Dickensian man who is associated, in literary terms, as one so miserly and mean?
What does Ebenezer mean?
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us"
They raised a memorial. That stone was placed to remind them of one crucial thing.
Their help was from GOD alone.
Up to that point, they were there purely because of God's greatness, faithfulness, and kindness.
Nothing of themselves.
Nothing of their own strength.
Nothing of their own goodness.
God.
God ALONE.
It wasn't just about the trial they had recently passed through.
It wasn't even about everything they had been kept through BEFORE that.
It was so they would not forget, when the inevitable trials would come once again - because they DO keep coming - that God was still faithful. God, who had helped them before, would do so again. God, whose faithfulness reaches to the clouds, whose faithfulness is GREAT.
Like the Israelites of old, we, too, must raise an Ebenezer, whether it's a physical reminder of God's faithfulness, or simply that the daily rhythm of our heart beats out GOD IS FAITHFUL.
When those hard moments come, our heart's cry ought to be "Ebenezer".
When the sorrows roll like sea billows.
When the cares press down upon our soul.
When we deal with struggles and challenges that make us feel like we are drowning in difficulties.
When the daily details are overwhelming.
When we just feel that we can't go one step further.
That is when we need to look back, and remember
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us"
He's helped before - He WILL help again.
As Hebrews teaches us, we need to hold fast to our profession of faith, without wavering. Why would we waver? Because we are tossed about on the sea of struggles. Yet, we are told why we can hold fast, even in those times - HE IS FAITHFUL THAT PROMISED.
The words are so simple, yet the truth is profound. We trust God, because He is faithful.
As we gaze back, with memories both fond and hard, upon the year that is past, we can see how the Lord has helped us - time, and time again. He is, and always will be, faithful. Along with Samuel, of old, we can raise our Ebenezer, knowing, that in the days to come - in joy or in sorrow - that God will ALWAYS help, and ever remain faithful.
I pray, as the new year dawns, we can all raise our Ebenezer, and go forward with expectation of blessing in the days to come.
Another 12 months, flown past.
As I look back, there is SO much for which I am thankful for. I can see so much goodness, from God's hand. So many blessings, that I couldn't begin to count them. Family, friends, fellowship. Our daily needs, of food, clothing and shelter.
We were considering, on the Lord's day, of the Prophet Samuel interceding for the children of Israel, when they were threatened by the Philistines. Samuel called out to God for them, and God rescued them, as He so often did.
After the Philistines were defeated, Samuel created a memorial, a stone - one would imagine it was big enough for all to see, and know what it was. He raised an Ebenezer. To some, that may sound strange. Why name a stone Ebenezer? Isn't that the Dickensian man who is associated, in literary terms, as one so miserly and mean?
What does Ebenezer mean?
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us"
They raised a memorial. That stone was placed to remind them of one crucial thing.
Their help was from GOD alone.
Up to that point, they were there purely because of God's greatness, faithfulness, and kindness.
Nothing of themselves.
Nothing of their own strength.
Nothing of their own goodness.
God.
God ALONE.
It wasn't just about the trial they had recently passed through.
It wasn't even about everything they had been kept through BEFORE that.
It was so they would not forget, when the inevitable trials would come once again - because they DO keep coming - that God was still faithful. God, who had helped them before, would do so again. God, whose faithfulness reaches to the clouds, whose faithfulness is GREAT.
Like the Israelites of old, we, too, must raise an Ebenezer, whether it's a physical reminder of God's faithfulness, or simply that the daily rhythm of our heart beats out GOD IS FAITHFUL.
When those hard moments come, our heart's cry ought to be "Ebenezer".
When the sorrows roll like sea billows.
When the cares press down upon our soul.
When we deal with struggles and challenges that make us feel like we are drowning in difficulties.
When the daily details are overwhelming.
When we just feel that we can't go one step further.
That is when we need to look back, and remember
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us"
He's helped before - He WILL help again.
As Hebrews teaches us, we need to hold fast to our profession of faith, without wavering. Why would we waver? Because we are tossed about on the sea of struggles. Yet, we are told why we can hold fast, even in those times - HE IS FAITHFUL THAT PROMISED.
The words are so simple, yet the truth is profound. We trust God, because He is faithful.
As we gaze back, with memories both fond and hard, upon the year that is past, we can see how the Lord has helped us - time, and time again. He is, and always will be, faithful. Along with Samuel, of old, we can raise our Ebenezer, knowing, that in the days to come - in joy or in sorrow - that God will ALWAYS help, and ever remain faithful.
I pray, as the new year dawns, we can all raise our Ebenezer, and go forward with expectation of blessing in the days to come.
Thank you for writing this. God is helping us and is with us. I needed that reminder.
ReplyDeleteI love how the Lord works! I read something similar to this in my devotions this morning. I guess I needed to be reminded of this tonight. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this timely reminder. One of my major goals for 2015 is to in some way physically remember God's faithfulness to our family. This scripture has me pointed in the right direction
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