EBENEZER : DECEMBER 12 FRIDAY

[cimi]

December 12
Friday


EBENEZER

READ:
Psalm 42:1-5
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Samuel took a stone...
and called its name
Ebenezer, saying, "Thus
far the LORD has helped
us." __1 Samuel 7:12
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In Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, the central character is Ebenezer Scrooge. As a boy, I enjoyed watching the old black-and-white version of that movie with Alastair Sim portraying Scrooge. Sim did a phenomenal job presenting the heartless, miserly, self-centered Scrooge. I still look in the television schedule each Christmas to learn when I can watch that particular rendition of Dickens' tale.

Years of watching the travails of Scrooge have spoiled something for me though--the name "Ebenezer." I have associated it with Scrooge, but its original meaning was light-years away from that. In 1 Samuel, following a decisive battle with the Philistines, the Israelites erected a stone Ebenezer, which means "Stone of help," to remind people of how God rescued them from their enemies (7:12).

What a contrast! A name that I had come to associate with man's selfishness can actually serve as a reminder of the readily available help of God. As we move through life, may we focus on the faithfulness of the Lord and not the selfishness of man. Let's look to Him as our true Ebenezer--our help in the challenges of life. __Bill Crowder
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````````God's faithfulness we've known throughout the years,`````````
`````````````His oneness with us in our joys and tears;`````````````
```````````So many times the Lord has helped us through,```````````
```````Has answered prayer and given strength anew. __F. Hess``````
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Our only hope here below is help from God above.

****************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 42:1-5************

1 As the deer pants for the
water brooks, so pants my
soul for you, O God. 2 My
soul thirsts for God,
for the living God. When shall I
come and appear before
God? 3 My tears have been
my food day and night,
while they continually say
to me, "Where is your
God?"

4 When I remember these
things, I pour out my soul
within me. For I used to go
with the multitude; I went
with them to the house of
God, with the voice of joy
and praise, with a multitude
that kept a pilgrim feast.

5 Why are you cast down,
o my soul? And why are
you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet
praise Him for the help of
His countenance.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The ministry of Christ has a past, present, and future dimension.
With the Israelites, we are reminded that "thus far the LORD has
helped us" (1 Sam. 7:12). In Revlation 22:20, Christ assures us,
"Surely I am coming quickly," which gives us hope for the future.
If we are not careful, however, we can become fixated on His
provision in the past or his promise of deliverance in the future. We
need to trust Christ in the present! We should remember that
"I AM WHO I AM," God's name given to Moses at the burning bush
(Ex. 3:14), is all we need for all His will. _Dennis Fisher

__Source: The Saving Life of Christ by Ian Thomas