READING: 1 Samuel 4:12-8:22
When I first followed Christ many years ago, my church family regularly sang the hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” I sing it much less often now, but I still remember as a young believer wondering what the second stanza meant: “Here I raise mine Ebenezer, hither by thy help I’m come.” And, to be honest, no one ever taught me back then what the words meant. I sang the lyrics, but without meaning or understanding.
I also remember, though, the first time I read 1 Samuel 7 and actually caught the reference to “Ebenezer.” The Philistines were prepared to attack the Hebrews, and the people of God feared their enemy greatly. They pleaded with Samuel to pray for them. He did so, and God routed the Philistines and granted the Hebrews victory. Samuel then marked the place of victory by setting up a large stone memorial he named “Ebenezer.” The word means something like, “a stone of help”—a marker reminding the people that God had led them to that point in their journey and could be trusted to continue leading them.
I am reminded today of how many times God has graciously, lovingly led me along the way. It is by His help alone that I’ve come to the place where I am today—and it will only be by His power that I will finish the race in His timing. He truly is the fountain of my every blessing.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What are the Ebenezer markers in your life?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “God, I praise You for Your continual care and leading.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Samuel 9:1-12:25