Ebenezers. Tangible objects. Reminders of God's help and faithfulness. God's presence. A scared moment recalled. God's mercies are everlasting and His covenant is forever. A battle has been fought and a victory has been won. A monumental stone is erected.
I like the way the New International Version expresses it...'Thus far has the Lord helped us." Thus far. Up until this exact second.
In the treasured hymn, "Come Thou Fount of Every blessing", we sing, "Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I've come". Here...in this place...at this time...in this circumstance...surrounded by pain...I raise my Ebenezer. I remember God's past blessing of help and it strengthens me for this trial and the next. God who is the same yesterday, today and forever cannot change. He still creates moments for Ebenezers.
As I think on this stone of victory, today my mind wanders to another stone. A stone that could not contain my Savior. A rock secured in front of a tomb. A burial place. A life enclosed...dead.
It is possible that life can offer such a burial chamber. Though alive, you need grave clothes removed and a stone lifted. Christ's stone was guarded, and maybe your's is too. Guarded by shame, insecurity, fear, hopelessness, disappointment, pain etc... You feel all that is left are remains, but God sees resurrection. He can raise your life from a living dead. He can deliver you. No longer will you be held in bondage and captive to Satan. Chains that bind you in health, finances, relationship, marriage, unemployment, worry, disappointment, fear can be removed. Our God still moves stones. Hallelujah!!
Thus far the Lord has helped us. My stone will move. Your stone will move. Darkness will depart. The Son is coming.
5 comments:
It is our "thus far"'s that will walk us home friend. Today, I'm raising my stone of remembrance and speaking my "thus far" alongside you.
Always been one of my favorite phrases from the Bible.
Joy and peace to my friend this day~elaine
Joy, how interesting that both you and I have been directed to the symbol of a "stone" to gain encouragement .. you to the "stone of remembrance" and the stone that could not hold our Saviour in 1 Samuel 7, and me to the "stone of defeat" a few chapters over in 1 Samuel 17. Interesting too that the size of the stones - yours large, mine small - both are effective and purposeful in the hands of the Master!!! Rejoicing with you as God renews our hope!!! And the Victory is trusting Him for one more day!
As you journey Joy you are sharing such a beautiful message of a Jesus who truly is everything!
Happy Easter my friend!
Praise the Lord our God is still in the stone-moving business!
May God bless you and give you a most blessed Easter weekend!
Marilyn
I hope you're having a blessed weekend Joy. I have a message at RefreshMoments that I hope will bless you as well.
Mary
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