Here I Raise My Ebenezer

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

In church, have you ever sung the song, O, Thou Fount of Every Blessing? The lyrics of this song were written by Robert Robinson in 1758. The second verse of the song begins with these words: “Here I Raise My Ebenezer.” The word Ebenezer comes from the Hebrew words ’Eben hà-ezer (eh’-ben haw-e’-zer), which means ‘stone of help.’

In the verse above, the prophet Samuel started out discouraged when he and the Israelites found themselves under attack by the Philistines. Fearing for their lives, the Israelites begged Samuel to pray for them in their impending battle against them. Samuel offered a sacrifice to God and prayed that God would protect them. God listened to Samuel, causing the Philistines to lose the battle and retreat back to their own territory and so he raised a memorial that he called ‘Ebenezer’ to remind them of where the Lord had helped them.

Without mental stones of remembrance, we too would become discouraged. God is our shepherd and He is always leading us in the best way to protect us. It’s just that sometimes our pain or disappointment in how things look at the moment cause us to take our eyes off of God and put them onto our circumstances. Instead of God-focused we become me-focused.   

The apostle Paul says that he suffered under great stress so that he might learn to rely more on God. (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

Remember how God led the Israelites in the desert to humble and test them? He wanted to know what was in their hearts. Sometimes God allows us to experience desert trails. I’ve visited the southwest desert and there is nothing more beautiful than the cactus flower.  Most cacti live in habitats subject to at least some drought. Many live in extremely dry environments.  Cacti store water for their night shifts of life!  

Each season has its’ beauty. Autumn arrived yesterday and my garden sedums are a beautiful shade of fall rose.  I know what’s next…the cold and snowy northeast winter. But as I prepare the garden beds for winter; I’m reminded that spring will come, in all its’ glory, with gentle tulips.  I’m reminded not to get discouraged by the forecast of cold weather because God will provide all my needs just like He has done many other years. 

Whether you are going through easy times or the greatest trial of your life, remember that God is at work in you.  Put your hope in Him. He won’t forget you or your situation. God has called each of us by name. ‘You are Mine!’ (Isaiah 43:1)

Let’s Pray. Lord, I am praising You today for bringing each of us this far. Thank you that we have the ability to remember; thank you that in perfect time, You always meet our needs. Remind us in times of darkness, who You are and who we are in Christ; that it is not what we do that determines who we are; but it is who we are that determines what we do. We have been bought and sealed. When we get discouraged, let us remember our spiritual inheritance. May we claim Your promises and that if we trust in You, that You will care for us and be our refuge in times of trouble.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy