Here in this chapter, Israel’s enemy, the Philistines, hear that Israel is gathered around Mizpah. So the enemy goes up to battle against them. The children of Israel hear of it and they become afraid. They cry out to Samuel and tell him, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” If we are familiar with the story, Samuel offers a whole burnt offering to the LORD, cries out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. The LORD thundered and the enemy was confused and overcome by Israel.
Samuel then takes a stone and sets it here between Mizpah and Shen and calls its name Ebenezer. The word “Ebenezer” means “stone of help.” This stone was put there to mark where God helped Israel defeat the Philistines. I’m willing to bet that if we all look back at our lives, we probably have a few Ebenezer stones. Stones to show where we cried out to God and God helped us defeat the enemy. It’s always good to remember these victories and hang on to the promise God makes to never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8) especially when you see the enemy drawing near, and you are overwhelmed with fear. Cry out to the Lord and remember those Ebenezer stones that are along the way.
“Thus far the LORD has helped me”
Joshua Navarro
It had been a long night of fishing with nothing to show for it. Done for the day, empty nets washed, Peter had no intention of going back out. But back out into the deep Jesus asked him to go. And they soon caught so many fish that those same nets were at the breaking point.
Like Peter, we can be doubtful at times whether the Lord is truly directing us in a way that makes any sense. To us, it might be the opposite of what we think is a sane approach. But, also like Peter, you and I are about to embark on the perfect path when we can say, “Nevertheless, at Your word I will…”.
The circumstances don’t have to be right. What we think we know may be challenged. Yet listening for the Lord’s voice, and then following through, will bring the results that He wants for our lives. I don’t want to miss anything that Jesus has for me, because it will be absolutely correct and absolutely good. Join me today in seeking to be actively obedient to our Lord.
Jeff Deal
Here in chapter 8, Matthew records many miraculous works that Jesus did — cleansing lepers, healing a paralyzed servant, and delivering many who were demon-possessed. All of these people are in desperate need, but in the middle of those accounts, Matthew writes of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law who we are told “was sick with a fever.” Dr. Luke writes in his Gospel that she had “a high fever.” So Jesus takes her hand, heals her, and she gets up and starts making lunch for them. This wasn’t done in front of the crowds that followed Jesus and we aren’t told that she was “sick unto death”, she was just sick and Jesus healed her.
It should encourage us to pray and allow God to be involved in every part of our lives. We have a tendency to pray and seek the Lord when things get really bad, when we encounter an illness that is severe. But when we wake up with a headache, we go right to the medicine cabinet for the Tylenol. Now there is nothing wrong with taking medicine, but why not pray?
He cares about every part of our lives, the big things and the little. So we should pray without ceasing, giving God the opportunity to glorify Himself in our weakness and at the same time, to build our trust in Him.
Pastor Doug Hardin
Have you ever felt weak and overwhelmed by a task or a trial? In this portion of scripture, the people of Israel were read the words of the Lord and they felt overwhelmed and sorrowful. After they heard the words of the Law, they came to the realization that they could not live according to the Law by their own strength. It was then that Nehemiah reminded them that the joy of the Lord is their strength. When a task or a trial makes you realize that you are not able to overcome it by your own strength, remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength.
For the King,
Daniel Batistelli
There are many things that change as we grow up. One thing that can never seem to leave us is this sense of getting even. We watch kids and hear about them and think it’s childish that because so-and-so called me a name, I can punch them. But as we grow up, does that really change? The circumstances do, for sure, but our flesh doesn’t.
We are told if there is evil done to you, don’t repay them with the same! In fact, we are called to not only love them still and bless them, but to have an outstanding reputation of only good things before everyone. We represent the Lord and in all things, we want to do our best to be His ambassadors. As such, we want to display the same love in repaying evil with good as the Lord did for us at the cross. We were in great evil towards God, yet He gave us Christ and died for us. When in this tough situation, take a second and reflect on what Christ did for you and let the peace of God overwhelm you with the hope of winning over a soul for Christ.
Blessings,
Pastor Sean Boehm
I think far too often we forget that, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Joel here reminds us that the Lord’s roar and voice is so powerful that it causes both the heavens and the earth to shake. Then we get that reassuring phrase, “But the Lord…” That mighty sovereign roar that unnerves the world is a comfort, a shelter, and strength to us, His people. So when the enemy comes in like a flood, remember God is roaring and like a lion cub, we can have peace and confidence in our Father knowing that He is greater and on our side.
Snuggled in His strength,
Pastor Gerard Deleeuw
Have you ever compiled a list of things for which to be thankful? You can start with being saved and having eternal life and go from there. The list is different for all of us but we all should be thanking the Lord. This verse says to come before Him with thanksgiving and shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
If God is truly working in our lives, we should have a song in our hearts. Read the Psalms often and just use them to praise God. Sing worship songs from your church. And do it with a spirit of thankfulness. Thank you, Lord, for saving me and guiding me!
Shout to the Lord,
Pastor Ron Kitchell
I am always fascinated by cures or possible solutions for unsolvable dilemmas or illnesses or problems. I usually doubt when advertisers use words like: 100 percent guaranteed to work on everything, cure all, sure bet, and so forth. Yet I have one for you today that you can bank your life on and it is found in our verses above.
God’s word never fails and when shared will always accomplish what He intends. If you have ever felt like you were wasting your time doing something, here is a suggestion for you: go share God’s word with as many people as you can. You will be doing God’s work. Have a great day!
Wanting to do something with eternal results,
Pastor Jack Abeelen
Paul and Silas had just been unjustly beaten with rods and thrown into a Philippian prison. Their feet were secured in stocks, forcing them to remain in an upright position because if they laid back, they would feel more pain. If I were to be found in such a dilemma, I would be praying constantly and fervently for deliverance while at the same time feeling fearful, bitter, and resentful.
However, this is not how Paul and Silas responded. The prayers that they prayed were worshipful which complemented the hymns of praise that they sang to God. What a powerful witness this was, because their fellow prisoners did not flee when their chains were miraculously loosed in the next verse. The world watches us Christians as we go through life’s ups and downs. May we be overwhelmed by Jesus’ love in our lives to the point that we praise and worship Him in all things.
Jeff Mericle
There is no better way to submit to the Lord than through worship. Many believers equate worship as instrumentation or singing songs of praise, and it certainly is. However, did you know that anything that is done in reverent devotion and allegiance pledged to God is worship?
The English word “worship” comes from the Old English word “worthship,” a word that denotes the worthiness of the one receiving the special honor or devotion. Therefore, the time we spend in prayer, reading and studying His Word, or serving in ministry, as well as singing songs of praise are all forms of worship to our risen King. Love is also worship. The love we have for Jesus and even each other is worship in the sight of God. In that sense, genuine worship won’t be silent. It will be the cry of your heart! To cry out to the Lord is perfected praise. So today, may His praise ever be on our lips with a heart that is truly in tune with His. Please join me, as we worship the Lord together…in harmony and in love!
Praising Him,
Tom Moore
