Good morning. Today is Wednesday, July 29th!

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— 1 Samuel 7:12

When you hear the name Ebenezer, you probably think of Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol. 

But the name actually comes from the Bible, and it has nothing to do with a grumpy old man.

In Scripture, Ebenezer isn’t a person at all. It’s the name Samuel gave to a stone. 

The Hebrew word means “stone of help.” That raises an obvious question: Why would anyone name a rock that?

The answer begins during one of Israel’s lowest points.

For years, God’s people had wandered from Him. They worshiped idols instead of the Lord, and the consequences were severe. They suffered defeat at the hands of the Philistines, and even the Ark of the Covenant was captured. Eventually, the people repented. 

Samuel told them, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods… and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only” (1 Samuel 7:3). This time, they listened. They confessed their sin, fasted, and gathered to seek God.

Then, while they were worshiping, the Philistine army came to attack.

Israel knew they couldn’t save themselves. They begged Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us” (1 Samuel 7:8).

God answered.

As Samuel offered a sacrifice, “the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines that day and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites” (1 Samuel 7:10). Israel won the battle, but everyone knew who deserved the credit.

Afterward, Samuel didn’t build a monument to Israel’s soldiers or celebrate a military victory. Instead, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’” (1 Samuel 7:12).

That stone wasn’t magical, and it wasn’t meant to be worshiped. It simply reminded God’s people of His faithfulness.

God often gave Israel physical reminders so they wouldn’t forget what He had done. After Israel crossed the Jordan River, Joshua set up twelve stones so future generations would ask, “What do these stones mean?” (Joshua 4:6). Those stones became opportunities to tell the story of God’s faithfulness.

We may not stack stones today, but we all have our own Ebenezers…

Every answered prayer, every trial God has brought us through, and every moment of His grace reminds us of the same truth Samuel declared centuries ago:

“Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: Father, You are always faithful.

Confession: Forgive us for forgetting Your faithfulness.

Thanksgiving: Thank You that, thus far, You have helped us.

Supplication: Help us remember Your goodness and trust You with what comes next.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

“Where Would I Be” by Peter Burton

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See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God