Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 1 Samuel 7 and Psalm 54

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’” (v.12)

Once before, in 1 Samuel 4, the Israelites had the ark with them when they went into battle. That time, they were utterly sinful, unrepentant, and treated the ark as a lucky charm. They were roundly defeated.

This time, however, they were thoroughly repentant, deeply humble and consciously dependent on God for victory. They knew they were utterly lost if God did not intervene with power, and that’s exactly the attitude God blesses. So God acted on their behalf with great power, and they routed the Philistine army. To commemorate God’s victory, Samuel erected a great stone as a monument, and named it ‘Ebenezer’, meaning “stone of help”.

What challenge do you face today? What help do you need from the Lord? Acknowledge the need, and ask for that help now. His ears and heart are always open to us!

Heavenly Father, I come to You in humility. I acknowledge my need of Your help today. Please fill me with wisdom, courage and strength, so that I may have the grace to know and do Your will, and to bring You pleasure in all I think, say and do today. In Your mighty name. Amen.