Ebenezer

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12 


When we read the book of first Samuel, chapter five through seven, we would see how the Philistines captured the Ark of God, and you may wonder how this was possible. It was possible because God was not the only one in the hearts of His people. They had other options. 

After the capture, the Philistines set the Ark of God before Dagon, their god. In the temple of Dagon, the Lord showed Himself mighty that there will never be any other besides Him. Dagon fell face down before the Ark of the Lord the first time. The second time, he got the disgrace of the millennium!

And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. 1 Samuel 5:4

The Philistines were not left out as they got afflicted with tumours, thus, they had to return the Ark of God to the Israelites with gifts attached.

Then the cows went straight up towards Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh. 1 Samuel 6:12 (NIV)

The ark of God remained in the house of Abinadab twenty years. Then the children of God turned back to God, and forsook their sins. 

So Samuel said to all the Israelites, ‘If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you. 1 Samuel 7:3 (NIV)

At the place of brokeness, the Philistines dared to attack again but they got the shock of a lifetime. The Lord discomfited them. The King of the universe thundered! 

And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. 1 Samuel 7:10

At the end, Israel got the victory. Yehoshua came to the rescue.

The enemy may have taken something dear to your heart, but I have come to encourage you that The God who helps is still on the throne. He still thunders. By the Spirit, see that thing coming back to you, see your cows coming, coming by the leading of Yehoshua. Like the Ark of God, when it comes back, it would come with bonuses. 

Majority of the time the enemy is able to take things from us because we have decided to be sufficient in ourselves. We set up idols in our hearts, and wander away from His presence. 

But there's a possibility to return. 

At the place of brokeness, at the place where you say, I am tired, I can't do this on my own, I'll be damned if you don't help me Lord, is where Mercy shows up. 

Where His mercy goes, His presence follows, and when His presence comes, the odds become for you. Absolute victory is yours!

Yehoshua is calling out to you right now, He says come my child, come to Papa, I will help you. Your sin may be great, but My love is greater and I've got room for you. Come child, come.

If you would like to come back to Him, please say this prayer believing in your heart that He hears, 
Lord Jesus, I come to you believing in my heart that you died for me. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, give me you Lord, be my Lord, my Saviour and my God. Take all of me Jesus, amen.

If you said that prayer my friend, a big congratulations to you! Father welcomes you, the angels welcome you. Help surrounds you. Hallelujah!

 







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