Thus Far the Lord Has Helped Me

We all have our bedtime routines, my daughter included.  We all know the usual drill: brush your teeth, change into pajamas and read before bed.  Part of that routine in our family is knowing that Mom and Dad will check on you again before they go to bed.  It’s been a way to rest easy knowing that she’s watched over as she slumbers.  My daughter looks so peaceful while she sleeps that I often snap a sweet picture of her.  The pictures over time stay in my camera roll as “proof” that I’ve checked on her.  Recently as I left her room one night I was reminded how nice it is to have the assurance that you’re watched over and cared for.  We all need that comfort from time.

I recently read the story in 1 Samuel chapter 7 that reminded me of how we’re cared for throughout our various journeys in life.  Starting in verse three we see that the prophet Samuel is leading the country of Israel in a battle against the Philistines.  Before battle, Samuel first urges the Israelites to rid themselves of any idols and to turn their hearts to obeying God alone.  Then Samuel and the community meet together to fast from food and confess their sins.  At that moment, the Philistines hear of their gathering and approach with their army for an attack.  When Samuel hears of this he makes an offering and pleads with the Lord for help and the Lord answered him.  The Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven which sent the Philistines into confusion that allowed the Israelites to defeat them.

And then we get to my favorite part of this passage in verse twelve:

“Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah.  He named it Ebenezer (which means ‘the stone of help’), for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!””

In my study Bible it says this about that verse:

“The Israelites had great difficulty with the Philistines, but God rescued them.  In response, the people set up a large stone as a memorial of God’s great help and deliverance.  During tough times, we may need to remember the crucial turning points in our past to help us through the present.  Memorials can help us remember God’s past victories and gain confidence and strength for the present.”

I don’t know about you, but in times of trouble I would much prefer to have a proven gameplan that will get me through the hard time in the least amount of time as possible.  I have a tendency to focus on the outcome rather than the journey itself.  But with that type of outlook I can so easily miss all the “Ebenezar stones” along the way.  This year has it's challenges for myself and my family.  BUT!  I can also say with full confidence that God has helped us tremendously up to this point.  I have so many different “Ebenezer stones” that I can point to.  Those stones show so much about God’s character and His great love, faithfulness and provision for us. 

This might be a good moment of reflection for you too.  In the same way that I check on Olivia each night at bedtime, are there ways that you can recount how God has been watching over you?  Maybe its through your continued health, your continued employment or a friend who checks in on you and prays for you.  Pausing to remember how much God has been helping us can be such an encouragement as we continue to journey through a variety of challenges in life.  Feel free to comment below what your recent “Ebenezar stone” is in your life.