The Bible is a wonderful collection of stories that were gathered together by men who were inspired by the Spirit. Each of these stories teaches us something important about our God, our world, or ourselves. We often read of people at their worst moments and see how God was faithful to them. But for some people, especially young people, it’s difficult to read stories from thousands of years ago and relate to them.
In 1 Samuel we read about the Israelites turning away from God, experiencing a great defeat at the hands of the Philistines, and finally, 20 years later turning back to God at the behest of Samuel. They fasted, repented, and burned an offering to God and He heard their prayers. God then gave the Israelites a great victory over the Philistines.
Samuel then set up a stone and called it Ebenezer, which means “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
That stone remained there between Mizpeh and Shen, and it was a reminder of God’s help each time they passed it. I’m sure it was something parents told their children about, passing down the stories of God’s faithfulness from a time they remember. The stone was just a great reminder of how God worked and how He was faithful.
Stories are important, and we need to share them.
Family Portraits is a new blog series that will occasionally be shared on the church website. It’s a chance for members of our church community to set up their own Ebenezer and tell the story of a time the Lord helped them. Hearing stories of faith first hand from people who have experienced God is a powerful thing. It also gives us a chance to see that sometimes it’s at our worst moments that God gives the most help.
As the stories of your brothers and sisters in Christ are told, we hope that you will use them as a way to better support each other, experience God in a new way, and understand that we all have brokenness and failings and it is only because of God that there is anyone holy or righteous.
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