Daily Devotional

-April 11, 2021-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

-Thus Far The Lord Has Helped Us-

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’”

(1 Samuel 7:12).

Samuel was a great prophet, priest, and judge. His mother Hannah, who once was barren, bore him as a direct answer to prayer. She had promised the Lord that she would “lend him to the Lord,” which she did. She brought him to the tabernacle and entrusted him to the care of Eli the priest. From the time he was weaned until he died, he served the Lord. He was one of the greatest men in the Bible.

The Philistines were great enemies of the Israelites which continued into the days of King David. They were strong, fierce fighters who were very hard to defeat and subdue. Here in 1 Samuel 7, Samuel told the people to put away their foreign gods, prepare their hearts for the Lord, and serve God only. 1 Samuel 7:8 says, “So the children of Israel said to Samuel, ‘Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the Philistines.’”

The Philistines attacked Israel right as Samuel was offering a burnt offering and praying. The Lord answered Samuel’s prayer by bringing loud thunder upon the Philistines and confusing them. Israel overcame them and won the victory that day and pushed them back. It was at this time that Samuel took a stone and called it Ebenezer, which literally means, “Stone of Help.” This stone was a witness and reminder of their victory.

Stones in Scripture played a very a important role. When the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River, they took twelve stones, one for each tribe, as a reminder of God’s help in their crossing into the Promised Land. The same is true in our text. Samuel said, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” Oh, how we too need the Lord’s help daily! He has brought us safely and securely to this point in the Coronavirus pandemic. Many have contracted it and died here in the U.S. and around the world. He has protected us and preserved us thus far. God has helped us in so many ways spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, materially, and financially.

Psalm 46:1-2, says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the sea.” God is greater than any problem, difficulty, trial, or circumstance we face. He is with us always and will help us in our times of trouble. Psalm 121:1-2 tells us, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills — From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and the earth.”

We can confidently say with Samuel, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” He has helped us in the past and He will help us in the future. May the Lord help us in whatever we face today. Let us pray, repent, turn to His Word, and trust in the Lord not in ourselves. He will help us.

Have a blessed day praying for God’s help and thanking Him He has helped us thus far. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean