Our Stone of Help

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 7:12, “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.”

After experiencing such a great victory against their enemies, Samuel established a memorial, calling it Ebenezer, or Stone of Help. I will ask a series of questions for us to consider. Does the way we live for God truly demonstrate that Jesus is our Stone of Help? What does a life that has Jesus as Helper look like? Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “Let you conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” A life lived with Jesus as Helper is a life that is filled with contentment. Can we honestly say that we are content with what God has chosen for us? Are we content with the life God has chosen for us? Do we seek that which God has chosen not to give us? Are we too busy putting our eyes on what others have and what God is doing in the life of someone else, and allowing ourselves to be ungrateful for the blessings in our own lives? Israel ended up in the mess they were in because they disobeyed God in removing all the people who inhabited the Promise Land before God led them there. Joshua 16:10 tells us, “And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers.” It is obvious that they had the strength to remove them, but their greed and discontentment with what God provided them led them to make a decision that has had painful consequences for Israel, even today. How often do we create overwhelming debt for ourselves, and painful life situations, because we go after things that God did not intend for us to have? Sometimes we go after things that God will eventually give us, but we are not ready to receive them and appreciate them as we should? True contentment means that we are completely satisfied with Jesus, even if we have nothing else. Abraham was a wonderful example of Old Testament contentment. Genesis 14:21-23 says, “Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.’ 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” Abraham’s choice to be content with what God had already blessed him with gained him a greater reward. Genesis 15:1 explains, “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’” What greater reward can any of us ask for, than God Himself? Another great example of contentment was given to us in the New Testament. Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Israel failed to inherit all the land because they did not trust the Lord as Helper, and allowed their greed to lead. On the contrary, Abraham trusted God as his Helper, and was content with such things as he already had. The Apostle Paul trusted the Lord as his Helper in difficult times and learned contentment in Christ. The simple fact that in Christ we have been given victory over death and the grave should be enough for us to worship Jesus as our Stone of Help. Yet, He is so merciful that He continues to provide for us, and give us victory over the circumstances, trials, and enemies in our lives, when we cling to Him as the Stone of our help.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).