01. The Scene
Philistines attacked. Israel was afraid. Samuel sacrificed a lamb. God thundered and gave victory. Immediately, Samuel took a stone, set it up, and named it "Ebenezer" (Stone of Help).
"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.""
02. The Essence
Gratitude must be tangible. Humans have short memories; we forget yesterday's miracles facing today's problems. The stone was a marker. Passing by it meant remembering: "Here, God helped us." Gratitude cements our history with God.
03. My Voice
Do you have "memory stones"? Do you record what God did? Build an Ebenezer today. A journal, an offering, a prayer of remembrance. Remembering His help "hitherto" gives courage for "henceforth".