Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the Lord helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12 NIV).
Our God is our helper. And there are times in the life of every believer when God comes to help in a mighty way. Ebenezer is one way of remembering God’s help.
The word “Ebenezer” means stone of help. It is thus a memorial. You too can put up some memorials ( a photograph or a souvenir or a trophy) to remind you of God’s help that you received.
Ebenezer begins with victory. The victory that God gave the Israelites that day marked the beginning of a new dawn of freedom for the Israelites over the Philistines who had oppressed them for twenty long years.
The victory that day was given as a result of two things: one, Israel was willing to return to the Lord; and two, they prayed and cried out to God that they may be rescued from their enemies. God came to their help and gave them victory.
Again, Ebenezer is a proclamation of thanks to the Lord. How many are the ways in which God has helped you in the past! Out of them all, how many do you remember with gratitude in your hearts?
In fact, Ebenezer helps you remember the way God has helped you so far. It is a recollection of His mercy and help with a thankful heart.
Ebenezer also looks forward. The very fact that you remember God’s help in the past should put hope in your heart that God will continue to help you in the future too. In fact, Ebenezer is just a starting point.
Based on that victory you can go ahead to win many more battles for the Lord. Ebenezer reminds you of past victories to enable you to look forward to many more victories with God’s help. Ebenezer!
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