Ebenezer
"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
Long before Scrooge came on the scene, Ebenezer was around. Ebenezer is a word that means “Stone of Help.” Ebenezer was a large stone that Samuel set up to serve as a reminder to the people of God that it was the Lord who had brought them success. Whenever they walked by that stone, they would remember that they lived in peace and safety because of God’s action in their lives.
On several occasions in my life, God has done something significant, and I have said to myself, “This is something I will never forget!” But day moves on to day, year on to year, and inevitably the significance of that day or event slips away. I may still enjoy the benefits of God’s action that day, but often God is forgotten.
Samuel understood this, and so he selected something lasting, in his case, a stone. Then he made a memory, a ceremony to surround that stone. Thus far, to this point, God has helped us. If you ever feel like God has abandoned you, look back to this stone and know that God is our helper when we call out to him.
At Faith we take the opportunity several times each year to set up Ebenezers for our kids and for ourselves. From 4th grade Bibles, to blessing the drivers, to mission commissionings, to Senior Sunday, these “milestones” serve as Ebenezers for our children, youth and adults. These simple ceremonies are designed to create lasting memories of God’s help in our lives, so that we may look back at them and remember God’s faithfulness to us.
Homework this week: Come support our Seniors this Sunday and contribute to the establishment of their Ebenezer. Remember God’s action in your life, and find ways to create Ebenezers as reminders of God’s faithfulness. Consider journaling as a way of writing and remembering God’s involvement in your life.
—1 Samuel 7:12
Long before Scrooge came on the scene, Ebenezer was around. Ebenezer is a word that means “Stone of Help.” Ebenezer was a large stone that Samuel set up to serve as a reminder to the people of God that it was the Lord who had brought them success. Whenever they walked by that stone, they would remember that they lived in peace and safety because of God’s action in their lives.
On several occasions in my life, God has done something significant, and I have said to myself, “This is something I will never forget!” But day moves on to day, year on to year, and inevitably the significance of that day or event slips away. I may still enjoy the benefits of God’s action that day, but often God is forgotten.
Samuel understood this, and so he selected something lasting, in his case, a stone. Then he made a memory, a ceremony to surround that stone. Thus far, to this point, God has helped us. If you ever feel like God has abandoned you, look back to this stone and know that God is our helper when we call out to him.
At Faith we take the opportunity several times each year to set up Ebenezers for our kids and for ourselves. From 4th grade Bibles, to blessing the drivers, to mission commissionings, to Senior Sunday, these “milestones” serve as Ebenezers for our children, youth and adults. These simple ceremonies are designed to create lasting memories of God’s help in our lives, so that we may look back at them and remember God’s faithfulness to us.
Homework this week: Come support our Seniors this Sunday and contribute to the establishment of their Ebenezer. Remember God’s action in your life, and find ways to create Ebenezers as reminders of God’s faithfulness. Consider journaling as a way of writing and remembering God’s involvement in your life.