By God's help

Thus far the Lord has helped us. — 1 Samuel 7:12

The word Ebenezer in the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” refers to a time when the people of Israel were trying to regain the close relationship they once had with God. Their spiritual leader, Samuel, told them that if they would abandon their foreign gods and return to the Lord wholeheartedly, He would deliver them from being oppressed by their enemy, the Philistines (1 Sam. 7:2-3).

When the people turned from their sin, God gave them victory. I response, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’ ” (v. 12).

When we sing, “Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’ve come; and I hope, by Thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home,” we are reminded that in our times of need we can always turn to God to find forgiveness and help. Whatever we have done, wherever we have wandered, He will receive and restore us by His grace.

A small stone on a desk or shelf can be our own. Ebenezer — a powerful, visible reminder that by God’s we have come this far in life, and He will see us through to the end. — David McCasland

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise. — Robinson

READ: 1 Samuel 7:2-12

Because God is with us, we need not fear what is ahead of us.

The Bible in one year:

• Ecclesiastes 1-3

• 2 Cortinthians 11:16-33