Ebenezer!
Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are like Samuel and set up stones and alters to the Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Philistines were thrown into confusion and defeated by the soldiers of Israel as described in Samuel 8:10-11.
We learn in 1 Samuel 7:12-14 (ESV) how Samuel set up a memorial.
“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen[a] and called its name Ebenezer;[b] for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.’ So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.”
We also learn that Samuel set up an alter in 1 Samuel 7:15-17 (ESV).
“Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the Lord.”
Have you ever set up or thought of setting up a memorial to remind yourself what God has done? We have reminders all around us of how God has blessed us including people, places, and things. How can you be more mindful of commemorating God’s miracles in your life?
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