Ebenezer

Thus Far the Lord Has Helped Us

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-12

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up 

between Mizpah and Shen. 

He named it Ebenezer, saying,

 ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’

(1 Samuel 7:12, NIV)

Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness

The story of Ebenezer in 1 Samuel 7 is a profound reminder of God’s faithfulness. Samuel and the Israelites experienced God’s deliverance in a moment of great vulnerability. As they gathered in repentance and prayer, the Philistines saw an opportunity to attack. But the Lord thundered from heaven, throwing the enemy into confusion and granting His people victory.

In response, Samuel set up a stone of remembrance and called it “Ebenezer,” meaning “stone of help.” This physical marker served as a testimony to the nation that their survival, success, and hope rested solely on the help of their God.

Matthew Henry notes that “when we are in distress, it is good to remember former experiences of God’s power and goodness to us and to make them the support of our faith and hope.” In other words, Ebenezer is not just about looking backward but also forward—trusting that the same God who has been faithful in the past will continue to guide us in the future.

God’s Faithfulness in Our Lives

Eugene Peterson describes God’s help as “a steady rhythm of grace in the midst of life’s turbulence.” Like the Israelites, we too can look back and see moments where God’s hand sustained us—times when He guided us through uncertainty, protected us from harm, or brought peace in the middle of chaos.

Charles Spurgeon beautifully said, “The Lord has helped us, helped us wondrously, helped us often, helped us in every way. Ebenezer is a standing testimony to His mercy.” Spurgeon reminds us that God’s help is comprehensive, covering every need and aspect of life. From the mundane to the miraculous, God’s faithfulness is woven into the fabric of our existence.

Setting Up Your Ebenezer

While we may not erect physical stones, we can create personal “Ebenezers”—moments of reflection and thanksgiving that remind us of God’s help. Journals, songs, prayers, or even simple conversations with loved ones can serve as markers of God’s faithfulness.

In your own life, what are your “Ebenezers”? Where can you see the hand of God guiding, protecting, and providing? Take a moment to reflect and give thanks. As the psalmist says, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old” (Psalm 77:11).

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord, thank You for being my Ebenezer, my stone of help. As I reflect on my life, I see Your faithfulness in guiding me, protecting me, and providing for me. Help me to trust in You for the future as I remember Your steadfast love in the past. May I never forget that it is Your hand that sustains me. Teach me to live with gratitude, hope, and unwavering confidence in Your care. Amen.

Moving Forward with Faith

The story of Ebenezer calls us to live in constant remembrance of God’s help, not as a relic of the past but as a catalyst for faith in the present and future. As Spurgeon exhorts, “Let us raise our Ebenezer and rejoice in His name; for He who hath helped us hitherto will help us all our journey through.”

May we walk forward, knowing that the Lord who has brought us “thus far” will continue to guide us home.

Soli Deo Gloria