CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 747

“Ebenezer”

1 Samuel 7:12 (NASB) Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen and named it Ebenezer, saying “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

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Have you ever looked back after having gone through a protracted time of trial and marveled at the miraculous ‘touchstone’ events that mark where God intervened with His blessing and provision at just the right time of your need?

Perhaps your time of trial continues and you are not ‘out of the woods’ as yet.  Even in your present difficulties it is good to look back and reflect on God’s goodness, provision, and protection thus far.

Samuel set up such a stone of remembrance following the Lord’s deliverance from their enemies.  The name he gave the stone, ‘Ebenezer’ means ‘stone of help’ which should be a reminder to us of the Rock that is Jesus Christ who is ‘a very present help in trouble.‘ (Psalms 46:1)

The Israelites had to repent and turn away from the false gods of Ashtoreth and Baal and return to the one, true God before being delivered from their enemy.  Likewise, we need to be aware of what and in whom we place our trust first.  What ‘idols’ do you keep in your life that you trust and depend upon instead of God?  Is it your survival instincts?  Do you seek security in your employer, investments, or bank account?  Your security is found only in Jesus Christ.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. – Psalms 18:2

Do you seek comfort first in certain food, drink, or drugs rather than through a prayerful, personal relationship with God?  Your comfort comes through God, not the things of this world.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. – 2 Cor 1:3

Note that God comforts us so that we may in turn be able to be a source of comfort to others who are in need.  Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone of His church and He is our ‘stone of help’.  As members of the Body of Christ we are ‘living stones of help’ to others through Jesus.

…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 2:5

It is easy to forget the past mercies of our Lord when we are in the middle of a difficult time.  A written prayer journal is an excellent tool by which you can be encouraged and have renewed faith as you review prior entries and see the ‘Ebenezer stone’ notations where the Lord has thus far helped you.

May you cast off the ‘idols’ in your life that cannot help you in your time of need.  May you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus, your Stone of help.  May He be the Cornerstone of your life, your refuge and your strength. May He pour His love, mercy and provision upon you and through you to others as you become an Ebenezer to others in His Name.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God