Then 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." 1 Samuel 7:12 NKJV
The Hebrew word we call Ebenezer means “stone of help” and appears three times in 1 Samuel—in 4:1, 5:1, and the verse quoted above. It also appears in the beloved nineteenth-century hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Notice how the first verse focuses on the glories of our Savior in heaven, and the second on the Lord’s help amid the sorrows of life here below. What fitting words to read aloud quietly the day after Good Friday and before Easter Sunday.
“Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing
Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of
loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by
flaming tongues above. Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
“Sorrowing I shall be in spirit, Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit, Here Thy praises I’ll begin; Here I
raise my Ebenezer; Here by Thy great help I’ve come; And I
hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.”
Prayer: Lord, You want me to look to You for help every day until I’m with You in heaven. Thank You so much for all Your help thus far.
The Hebrew word we call Ebenezer means “stone of help” and appears three times in 1 Samuel—in 4:1, 5:1, and the verse quoted above. It also appears in the beloved nineteenth-century hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Notice how the first verse focuses on the glories of our Savior in heaven, and the second on the Lord’s help amid the sorrows of life here below. What fitting words to read aloud quietly the day after Good Friday and before Easter Sunday.
“Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing
Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of
loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by
flaming tongues above. Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
“Sorrowing I shall be in spirit, Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit, Here Thy praises I’ll begin; Here I
raise my Ebenezer; Here by Thy great help I’ve come; And I
hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.”
Prayer: Lord, You want me to look to You for help every day until I’m with You in heaven. Thank You so much for all Your help thus far.