Ebenezer- Help

Introduction

I Samuel 7:12 “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.”

    Our Lord Jesus has helped us as an Ebenezer and by his help we were able to overcome many situations in our lives. We see here in the above passage, the Lord was like an Ebenezer to the people of Israel at the time of danger. In I Samuel 7:4-5 ‘Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.’ when we read this passages we can understand that the people of Israel has taken a decision and they worshipped the Lord alone. And as a result, the Lord blesses them. We also read that they gathered in Mizpeh. The word Mizpeh means a watch tower. The Lord almighty acts as a watch tower to his children. Our Lord keeps monitoring our lives very closely. As a part of today’s meditation, let us meditate on the help that Ebenezer is prepared to give us in our lives.

Fear to Fearlessness

I Samuel 7:7 “And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.”

    When we read the above passage we can see that the Philistines were coming against the people of Israel in Mizpeh. But the Lord made them strong. The Lord who was an Ebenezer to his people gave them the courage to stand against them. The Lord removed all their fears and made them bold. Even in our lives, we are afraid of many things in this world. Today the Lord God is giving us the courage to face our fears and threats. In Romans 10:17 ‘So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ we read that when we hear the word of God, it gives us a courage. When we have the words Ebenezer and Mizpeh in our hearts, we will never be afraid.

Cry to Rejoice

I Samuel 7:8-9 “And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.”

    When Samuel prayed for the children of Israel, he wept. The Lord almighty wipes away his tears. The Lord makes him rejoice after his tearful prayer. Even in our lives, the Lord God will answer all our prayers soon before we finish it. We also know when Moses prayed for the Lord to save the people from the destruction, the Lord heard his prayer and saves his people. When we pray whole-heartedly, our Lord will answer it. Our Lord is the Lord who knows our tearful prayers. Today all our tears will be turned into gladness.

Roaring thunder in hopeless situation

I Samuel 7:10 “And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.”

    When we read this passage we can understand that the people of Israel was facing a crucial situation. They were surrounded by their enemies for the battle. When they were totally helpless, the Ebenezer comes to the rescue. He comes out as a roaring thunder to shield the children of Israel. The Lord’s hand will make our enemies tremble. When the people of Israel were in the verge of losing, the Lord sends his help through nature and that brings them a victory. Even in our lives, the Lord will be like a loud thunder which will defeat the host of enemies that comes against us. The Lord will make the nature to battle it out for this children.

Lifelong Peace

I Samuel 7:13 “So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.”

    Our Lord gives his children a permanent peace. As long as we are in this world, we will be blessed with a divine peace. In Psalms 122:7 ‘Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.’ The Lord who has called us is faithful to lead us for the lifetime. And he will give us a lifelong peace. When we are being monitored by our Lord God, we will be blessed with a lifelong peace. Amen.