“Now when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 So the children of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. Then Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and drove them back as far as below Beth Car. 12 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 7:7-13
Lord of Thunder,
Naturally the Israelites were afraid. They were sorely beaten last time. I am glad we are not expected to be super human because we have You within us. Rather we are ordinary people but with You, Lord extra-ordinary! Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6-7). We too still have very real emotions and feelings but can lean on, turn to, rely on, find in You strength and help in all situations when we ask.
But they were calling on You this time. Samuel made a sacrifice. A young perfect lamb. A symbol of the one perfect Lamb You would send that first Christmas. Jesus. And You, Lord sent the children of Israel a thunderstorm which dispersed and defeated their enemies. They did not have to fight. When Jesus died there was an earthquake (Matthew 28:2) and darkness over all the earth for three hours (Luke 23:44). The Israelites gained victory over their enemies. A small victory pointing to Jesus who would be victorious over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57).
So Samuel raised an Ebenezer, a stone of remembrance. Also a stone to remind them of a victory where previously they were defeated. A reminder of the difference You made in their lives. We have the risen Lord to remind us of our victory. We may slip, or make mistakes, do our own thing but there is always a way back.in You, Jesus.
Worship Saturday 19th April 2025
You need to take 5 or 6 minutes and settle down with this worship.
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 God’s unchanging love!
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.
Above all else, I adore Your name
Above all else, tune my heart to sing Your praise
Above all else, I adore Your name
Above all else, tune my heart to sing Your praise
Above all else, I adore Your name
Above all else, tune my heart to sing Your praise, oh
Above all else, I adore Your name
Above all else, tune my heart to sing Your praise
The highest praise, the loudest praise
To the Name above every name
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Repeat . . .
Lyrics: Robert Robinson additions by Shane Barnard