The Ebenezer Stone
Has the Lord ever led you to a great place of victory in your life? Did you do anything to commemorate that special help from the Lord to get to that victory? The Israelites were able to defeat their enemies, the Philistines, in a decisive battle. They so dominated them that they were no longer an oppressor of Israel for the rest of Samuel's life. Samuel recognized their need to thank the Lord for His help, so he took a stone and set it up at that site. He named the stone "Ebenezer." The name meant God had helped them to come that far. (I Samuel 7:12) I believe that is a great thing for all of us to do in our lives all of the time.
Do we give God the credit He deserves for the times we overcome temptations and enemies in our lives? In reality, without the Lord we can do nothing. However, if we trust Him to help us in His way and in His will, we can overcome anything that is thrown at us. (I Corinthians 10:13) God is waiting for us to trust Him for everything. Our faith greatly pleases Him. (Hebrews 11:6) Then, when we clearly praise Him, giving Him all of the glory for whatever we accomplish, we are being a great testimony to those around us who do not know the Lord. Therefore, by commemorating our victories in some way we do not forget, we magnify the Lord, and we bear witness of His goodness to everyone. Let's try it and see what He does.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 8-11.
Do we give God the credit He deserves for the times we overcome temptations and enemies in our lives? In reality, without the Lord we can do nothing. However, if we trust Him to help us in His way and in His will, we can overcome anything that is thrown at us. (I Corinthians 10:13) God is waiting for us to trust Him for everything. Our faith greatly pleases Him. (Hebrews 11:6) Then, when we clearly praise Him, giving Him all of the glory for whatever we accomplish, we are being a great testimony to those around us who do not know the Lord. Therefore, by commemorating our victories in some way we do not forget, we magnify the Lord, and we bear witness of His goodness to everyone. Let's try it and see what He does.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 8-11.