Ebenezer: My Stone Of Help

Daily Renewal

When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them.
When the Israelites heard it...They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.”
Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf and God answered him…
That day, the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out...and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way...
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.” 
 
  I Samuel 7:7-12
Ebenezer means “stone of help.” It is a reminder of how far God has helped us. It is a memorial.

As usual, the Philistines came against Israel, thinking they would wipe them out; but they were badly mistaken. God fought for His people and routed their enemies. God thundered against the enemies of Israel. As a reminder of that, Samuel set up a stone in honor of God’s great act.
He called that place Ebenezer, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

God does not want His people to live in defeat. He is all powerful and Almighty. There is no power in the heavenly or earthly realm or beneath the earth that can contend with our God. Scripture is clear that if God is for us, who can be against us? The divine assurances of protection and victory are simply mind-boggling!

God assures us: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you with my righteous right hand…
Those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish...Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10-13)

You might find yourself embattled today, thinking that all is lost! But do not be afraid, the LORD is with you. God is about to thunder against the enemy and route him out. God is about to give you a stone of help to mark your victory! Let the Philistines gather all they want, our Ebenezer is assured; thus far will the LORD help us! God will fight for us! God will give us many victories. God will turn things around for us. God will give us many testimonies. God will give us countless Ebenezers. Let’s continue to trust and live obediently for Him. He will perfect that which concerns us for His glory. Our testimony will be, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

Prayer: I cry out unto you my Help and my Redeemer. Let me not be ashamed and let not my enemies triumph over me. Ebenezer is my portion; a stone of remembrance concerning my victory through you. Amen.