Ebenezer

The Lord interrupted my unsettled heart and racing thoughts today with one simple, yet precious word.

He whispered, “Ebenezer” to my spirit which means stone of help. 

The voice of God always settles my racing heart and quiets my busy mind. It’s amazing how one word from the Lord can drive out panic and chaos and usher in His peace and joy. 

In 1 Samuel 7, the Israelites turned back to God and cried out to Him for deliverance and help from their enemies. God heard their cries and defeated their enemies. 

After that victory, Samuel set up a stone and called it Ebenezer. He then declared, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

I’ve read that before almost in a negative way, like “so far so good” as if saying “He hasn’t failed us yet, but He could tomorrow.”

Today I read it and saw Samuel’s heart behind that statement and understood the visual of the stone. 

Thus far, over all of our history, the Lord has been faithful. Thus far, He has helped us.

Thus far, He has delivered us. Thus far, He has kept us, and therefore He won’t stop now! 

Samuel set that stone up as a memorial to remind God’s people that God has been and will always be their source of help. 

We too are surrounded by Ebenezer stones in our own lives if we simply have eyes to see and hearts to remember His faithfulness.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭12‬ 

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

Always Watching

 

I was standing ankle deep in a kiddie pool watching my youngest son splash and play. I was chatting with some friends who were also watching their children when I noticed my son frantically looking around. I saw his lip pucker up as he began to cry and I realized he was looking for me. He thought he was lost because he couldn’t see me. I immediately embraced my son and said, “buddy, mommy is right here, I am always watching over you, my eyes are on you even if you lose sight of me.” 

In that moment I heard the Lord whisper those same words over me, “I am always watching over you, My eyes are on you even if you lose sight of Me.” How often have I felt like my son did that day? One minute full of joy and the next in panic because I can’t see my Father and fall for the lie that I am alone. 

It brings me great comfort to know that my Heavenly Father is forever faithful and He watches over me, even more than a mother watches over her child. His eyes are on me, He sees me, and when I lose sight of that fact, He calms my soul with His presence, His embrace, and His voice of truth. 

“But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.“ Psalm 131:2

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer…” 1 Peter 3:12

“Yahweh himself will watch over you; he’s always at your side to shelter you safely in his presence. He’s protecting you from all danger both day and night. He will keep you from every form of evil or calamity as he continuously watches over you. You will be guarded by God himself. You will be safe when you leave your home, and safely you will return. He will protect you now, and he’ll protect you forevermore!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭