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Word of Encouragement-Ebenezer

April 13th, 2021 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Ebenezer.”

This word shows up in First Samuel 7:12, when the prophet Samuel set up a stone and named it “Ebenezer” saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

This stone was set up to remind the Israelites of God’s faithfulness to them. Sometimes, they would be unfaithful to Him, and He would discipline them. But the purpose of the discipline was not to destroy the Israelites. Rather, His purpose was to turn their hearts back to Him.

Ebenezer means “Stone of Help.”  There are reference points that remind us that God has come to help His people.  Those places are at the cross and empty grave. Jesus is the evidence of God’s faithfulness, and we can count on Him to save us from our sins.

Find encouragement in the reference points of history that point to God as our source of help in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Moment Of Celebration-Ebenezer

March 17th, 2014 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the meaning of “Ebenezer.”

We often hear that word during the Christmas season related to the Charles Dicken’s novel, “Ebenezer Scrooge.”

However, Ebenezer is also found in the Bible in the book of First Samuel. In their distress, the Israelites gathered together to fast and confess their sins to God.  When Israel’s enemies, the Philistines, heard that they were gathered together, they set out to attack them. The Israelites pleaded for Samuel to cry out to God on their behalf.

The LORD heard Samuel’s petition and thundered against the Philistines and routed them before the Israelites.

That is when Samuel set up a stone and named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far has the LORD helped us.” Through life’s storms, challenges, and conflicts, Ebenezer is a term that helps us to remember where our source of help comes from. According to Psalm 121, “my help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

God’s help in times of distress is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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