Ebenezer Thus Far

[S] 1 Samuel 7:12-13 --
 ¹²Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."
 ¹³So the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore within the border of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

[O] The literal meaning of Ebenezer is stone of help.  This was the monument Samuel erected in place where God had helped them to defeat the Philistines and they never came near this mark to bother the Israelites again.  20 years ago in the same place, the Israelites were badly defeated and the Ark was lost into the hands of the Philistines but this day, God gave the Philistines into the hands of the Israelites and Samuel was quick to establish the landmark of His victory.  I liked how he wrote "thus far" because it implies God is not finished yet and he is expecting to see more of God's power at work.  It also implies that he did not want to forget all the reference points of God's helping them to victory just like how we put push pins on places we visited on a map.  In tough times, these landmarks will function as strength of encouragement assuring the people to rely on God again and again.

[A] Start marking my Ebenezers along my spiritual journey with God as He helps me to overcome obstacles.  Proclaim, "Thus far God has helped me, and I'm expecting more to come."

[P] Dear God, You are the God of my Ebenezer!  I want to ride the waves of Your awesome and wonderful help throughout my life so that it is so evident You are at work in my life at all times.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.