Ebenezer

I was looking briefly last night at Sis. Becky Laywell's post. She mentioned an old hymn that had a line "I lift my Ebenezer". She went on to explain how in I Samuel when the Israelites defeated the Philistines, Samuel took a stone and called it Ebenezer, meaning The Lord helped us.

In reading I Samuel 7:1-12, a lot of passages stuck out in my mind.

Verse 2: "...the time was long, for it was 20 years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord." How long a trial can last sometimes. How long we can bear a burden. Yes, it can be years until we see the burden lifted, a soul saved, a situation righted. No wonder God has to remind us in his Word to hold on, take courage, endure, don't give up the faith, don't think it strange the fiery trial that comes upon you. We humans want fast deliverance. Especially in this day and time when we are amidst a generation that wants a quick answer from the internet, a quick meal from the microwave and a pill that cures all ills.

Verse 3: "...return to the Lord with all your hearts, put away strange gods...he will deliver you ..:
What do I need to do to prepare my heart. What do I need to put away?

Verse 9 and 10: When Samuel prayed, the Lord heard him, and as he was performing his offering, the Philistines drew near to battle. Many times when we get down to pray or after we get up, there is a battle that comes against us. When we are seeking the Lord, Satan does not sit still. He goes to work against us. But thank God, we can lift up our Ebenezer stone and say "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."