Stone of help

In I Samuel 7.12, it is recorded that after God provided a great victory over the Philistines, Samuel took a stone and set it upright and he named it Ebenezer, “the Lord has helped us to this point.” Ebenezer primarily means ‘stone of help’. Why would Samuel have been led to do this? Simply, so the future generations would have some reminder of a mighty act of deliverance by God. Children and grandchildren might ask, ‘what do these stones mean?’ It’s really a testimony of God’s provision.

When the Israelites passed through the flood waters of the Jordan into the Promised Land, they walked through on dry ground. Just pause for a moment. A raging river above flood level, out of its banks, and the Omnipotent God held the waters back with his strong right hand. Joshua then had twelve stones from the Jordan set up as an Ebenezer. Wouldn’t you have?

Mighty to save

The Lord was making sure that current and future generations would know how mighty he is to save. You can see everywhere signs that indicate people have not known about or remembered God’s provisions. Even in the Christian community. That’s why your personal testimony is so powerful, and necessary, as it points to how and where God has led you to this point, with others getting to see and hear how God has been at work in your life. I can imagine there are many ‘Ebenezers’ in your walk with the Lord. Your children and grandchildren need to experience these, verbally and/or in writing.

In Psalm 71.17-18 we see a life of remembering and proclaiming. “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.” ESV