1 Samuel 7:12 – “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.'”
The Israelites were constantly under attack by the Philistines in the Old Testament. When they were faithful to God and remained obedient to Him, they had victory. But in those seasons when they turned their back against God and worshiped foreign gods, God allowed the Israelites to be defeated by their enemies. The saddest thing was that each time God helped them, they would forget and go back again to their old ways.
Samuel memorialized one such occasion when God had helped the Israelites defeat the Philistines. He set up a stone and named it Ebenezer because God had helped them until then. Have you personally experienced God’s goodness and favor in days past? Let that be your personal Ebenezer stone. In times when you doubt God’s presence in your life, look back at your Ebenezer and remind yourself of what God has done for you until now.
It’s easy to get disheartened and question God when life becomes rough. Don’t forget the God who helped you this far. He who brought you from darkness into His marvelous light will never let go of your hand, unless you choose to. Hang on to Jesus. He who helped you this far, will lead you to greater glory as long as you keep holding on to Him.
