Rock on! (aka "Ebenezer On!")

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, 'Thus far the LORD has helped us.' So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel; the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel."

(1 Samuel 7:12-13)

Long before RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (an epic movie that I absolutely loved as a junior higher when it was originally released!) there was the original ark of the covenant. And it was everything the movie made it out to be and more! Considered the "throne" of God on earth, the Israelites would carry the ark with them into battle, to ensure God's presence with them.

In 1 Samuel 4, there's a story about the neighboring Philistines defeating the Israelites in battle and capturing the ark (note: God had foretold the loss due to the sin of the sons of Eli the priest, Hophni & Phinehas). So the Philistines put the ark in the temple of their god, Dagon. It didn't go well for Dagon... the statue ended up wit hits head and limbs mysteriously chopped off! Then the people in the land broke out in deadly tumors. Their leaders finally had enough and shipped the ark back where it came from (complete with an appeasement offering of gold!). When the ark returned, Israel rejoice. But they also repented of their sin. Then they took the ark back into battle and defeated the Philistines.

Afterwards, Samuel set up a memorial rock (called an 'Ebenezer,' which means 'stone of help.') as a reminder to all of how God has helped them. And the hymn, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" even mentions raising my Ebenezer!

What a great idea. We all should make an Ebenezer rock somewhere around our house... so we can be reminded to remember all that God has done for us. And while we're at it, take the time to list the many ways God has helped us over the years (so we can quickly recall them whenever we see our rock!).

So... where will you put your "rock of help"?!?