Crazy Horse

Samuel took a stone . . . and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”               — 1 Samuel 7:12

In 1876, the Sioux leader Crazy Horse joined forces with Sitting Bull to defeat General Custer and his army at Little Bighorn. Not much later, though, starvation caused Crazy Horse to surrender to US troops. He was killed while trying to escape. Despite this sad conclusion to his life, he became a symbol of heroic leadership of a threatened people.

Today in the Black Hills of South Dakota, he is commemorated with a monument being carved into a mountain — the Crazy Horse Memorial. When complete, it will be 641 feet long and 563 feet high. It will show Crazy Horse riding a galloping horse pointing the way to his people.

Thousands of years ago, the prophet Samuel used a much smaller memorial stone in a significant way. In the midst of a crucial battle with the Philistines, Samuel called out to God on Israel’s behalf. The Lord answered his prayer (1 Sam. 7:10). In gratitude, Samuel set up a stone “and called its name Ebenezer saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (v. 12).

Samuel has set an example for our spiritual journey. We too can use tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness to help us worship and serve Him. It’s good to remember “thus far the Lord has helped us.”                          — Dennis Fisher

Putting it into practice

• Keep a spiritual journal and record God’s blessings.

• Write answers to prayer in your journal.

• Tell a friend what God has done in your life.

READ: 1 Samuel 7:3-12

Gratitude is the memory of a glad heart.

The Bible in one year:

• Joshua 13-15

• Luke 1:57-80