The Life of DavidSample

Day 3: 1 Sam. 5-7 x Traes Howard, USM School Director

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, 'Till now the Lord has helped us.' So, the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel." (1 Samuel 7:12-13)

Today, we are reading 1 Samuel chapters 5–7. As you read, remember that the Ark of God represents the Presence of God on the earth. Chapter 5 describes the Ark of God in a foreign land and the power of God's presence to break down idols. Chapter 6 describes the return of the Ark of God to the land of Israel and Israel's repentance as the Ark returns to the land. Finally, Chapter 7 tells the story of Israel's defeat of her enemies and Samuel's response to that victory after the Ark has returned to the land. In response to the victory, the Word says that Samuel set up a stone of remembrance and called it Ebenezer. In Hebrew, Ebenezer means "the stone of help." The stone of help stood as a memorial to the people of Israel, reminding them of what the LORD had done. It would also be a remembrance for Israel as they taught their children the ways of God. We still need Ebenezers today; we still need reminders of how the LORD has helped us. Those personal and corporate memorial stones become our testimonies and the fuel for our thanksgiving and praise. Psalm 45:17 reads, "I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore, nations will praise you forever and ever."

Prayer: Father, cause our hearts to remember Your help, and may our remembrance provoke us to give You thanks and praise. Amen.