Focus: Stone Of Divine Help

Text: 1Sam.7:12

"Then Samuel took A STONE, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it EBENEZER, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us."

Samuel and the children of Israel came together before the Lord for prayer, worship and judgment. On hearing about this meeting, the Philistines felt it was time for them to strike against Israel. In their own thinking, Israel is now in her vulnerable moment. What the enemy fails to understand is that worship makes us powerful, not vulnerable. 

Worship is warfare in disguise. We are most dangerous in our moments of worship. The Scripture tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. It was as Paul and Silas prayed to and praised God that a mighty earthquake occurred that set the record straight of who was in charge of all earthly affairs. Not very many people are aware that God is running things in this universe, because it doesn't appear so to them. But we have it on the authority of Scripture that God is causing all things to work together for good for those who love Him and who are the called according to His purpose. In fact, the Apostle Paul says, "And we know that all things work together…" (Rom.8:28). The believer knows. He is conversant with God's reality and ability.

The Philistines gathered together, battle ready against Israel. On the other hand, the people of God felt great fear inside of them, but they said to Samuel, "Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines." The army of Israel went to war, counting on Samuel's prayers. Someone said that "courage is fear that has said its prayers."

Samuel did not only pray for them, but he also offered to God a sacrifice on behalf of the army of Israel. At the end of the day, it turned out that the army of Israel didn't have to do much, for "the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel" (1Sam.7:10). God made sure that Israel's fears did not come to pass. 

That is my prayer for you: your fear will not come to pass. I also pray that you rise above your fears, and that you learn to trust God at all times.

Israel won a decisive victory over the Philistines, for we have it on record that "the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were RESTORED to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath…" (1Sam.7:13-14). God gave Israel victory and caused them to recover their lost territories. Right there and then, Samuel raised a memorial stone and called it, 'Ebenezer', and said, "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us." 

God fought for them the battle they couldn't fight for themselves. The Lord urged and helped His people to victory. From the place of worship they marched to the place of battle, and from the place of battle they emerged victorious. God helped them. Ebenezer means 'the stone of help'. Every time they looked at that stone, it reminded them of how they had fared in the past with God on their side.

Child of God, your God is with you to help you. He is fighting your battles right now. The psalmist declares, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Ps.46:1). God who helped Israel then, is here now to help you. Get ready to raise your own stone. You will look back and see how far God has helped you. God is your very present help in trouble. Even now He is giving you a winning strategy and a conquering power. Receive divine help and enjoy the favor of your God. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter