Since the birth of my nephew Eben James Friestad last week, the word, Ebenezer has been churning in my mind.
"The word "ebenezer" comes from Hebrew and is actually two words pronounced together, Even Haazer. Literally speaking, an Ebenezer is a "stone of help," or a reminder of God’s Real, Holy Presence and Divine aid. Spiritually and theologically speaking, an Ebenezer can be nearly anything that reminds us of God’s presence and help: the Bible, the Sacramental Elements, a cross, a picture, a fellow believer, a hymn – those things which serve as reminders of God’s love, God’s Real Presence, and God’s assistance are 'Ebenezers.'" Dr. Gregory S. Neal, What's An Ebenezer
The past hold an immense ability to increase our faith. Looking back upon God's previous faithfulness in our lives, our confidence in His future faithfulness is radically strengthened. Unfortunately, we quickly forget His providential hand in our lives. God knows we have short memories--which is exactly why, in the Old Testament, He often commanded His people to erect memorials (stones, pillars, altars, items in the Ark of the Covenant, etc). These served as visual reminders of specific events in which the Lord had worked.
When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, Joshua commanded them, "
"take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder . . . that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord . . . these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever." Josh. 4:5-7
Raising an Ebenezer serves two purposes. 1) To remind God's people what He has done; 2) To elicit the curiosity of others.
Psalm 96:2 says it well, "Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day." As we reflect upon His faithfulness, we can't help but, 1) bless His name and, 2) desire to testify of His faithfulness.
In what ways have you set up visual reminders of God's hand in your own life? A piece of jewelry, wall art, a coffee table ornament, a photo, or maybe some scribbles in the margin of your Bible can all serve such a purpose. Journaling is probably one of the best ways to "set up a memorial"--something that can be read in times of doubt, fear, and despair. A beautiful story of faithfulness that can be passed on for generations.
This week, raise an Ebenezer to God's faithfulness in an area of your life. If you would, leave some feedback and let me know what you've chosen to use and why.
Come Thou Fount, Robert Robinson, 1757
I love it. Thanks for writing that! :) My natural Ebenezer has been music, and my hymnal collection and many notes are in my room. But Facebook has been my Ebenezer away from home in that I've hidden all the negativity out of my newsfeed an
ReplyDeleted subscribed to the many positive posters and bloggers. I can't get on Facebook without reading something positive about or from the Word, even on my cell phone.
One of my teachers at a worship workshop this summer carries around a little white handkerchief to signify his surrender to God in some area of his life. Every time he reaches in his pocket, it reminds him of that surrender.