Here I raise my Ebenezer
Here there by Thy great help I’ve come

We sing these words in the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” I’m sure many of us sing these words without realizing exactly why we are singing them.

Do yourself a great favor and go read 1 Samuel 7:1-12.

As usual, the Philistines are causing trouble for Israel. As usual Israel is scared. As usual, Israel cries out to God through their leader at the time to “make it stop.” This time the leader is Samuel. As usual, God hears, and Israel is victorious.

What Samuel did and said next give us the words of this beloved hymn.

Afterward, Samuel took a stone, named it Ebenezer, explaining, “The Lord has helped us to this point.” (1 Samuel 7:12)

Meditate on those words today. Another translation renders it, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

When we began this journey, we had more questions than answers. We had fears. Who are we kidding? Today, we still have more questions than answers. We still have fears.

But, we can also say, “The Lord has helped us to this point.”

We have seen churches learn to do worship through technology. We have seen people have Sunday School through ZOOM. We have heard amazing stories of people stepping up in a variety of ways.

Yes, we can say, “The Lord has helped us to this point.”

And, believe this, dear friends, one day we will be on the other side of this global crisis and still be able to say, “The Lord has helped us to this point.”

Go Raise an Ebenezer Somewhere Today!

We want to invite you to join us for a statewide online prayer meeting Thursday, April 2, at 7:14 p.m. on our Louisiana Baptists Facebook page (facebook.com/louisianabaptists).  The writer of Hebrews encourages us to boldly approach the throne of grace so we can receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:16). I think you’ll agree that we are in a time of need, so please join us as we unite our voices and our prayers, surround the throne and cry out to God.