As the rain and snow

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
    we are the clay, and you are our potter;
    we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8

“Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?” Romans 9:20b-21

“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” 2 Timothy 2:20-25

Illustrating with a common vessel, the Scriptures describe the makeup of and stewardship entrusted to the children of God. Created from dust, vessels fashioned individually by the Master Potter, God’s own have great potential for honorable service. While the Lord sovereignly designs, His people have the freedom to reject all that is dishonorable and make the most of the shape and utility of their lives. (Genesis 2:7; 3:19; Jeremiah 18:6)

Though we might think ourselves more than important, we Christians are merely jars of clay, malleable in the Potter’s hands. What makes us distinct from others humans is the treasure of Christ, the Holy Spirit, dwelling within. Each of us is fashioned uniquely, and it is by our faith and living we determine what grit we allow and how we will honor the Maker. There are certain practices and passions to put away and others to put on if we are to glorify God. To be set apart as holy necessitates eliminating what is unholy. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 4:7; Ephesians 1:14)

When have we last taken an inventory of thought? A mind consumed with resentment or bent on revenge cannot be given to mercy, and one intrigued with prurient ideas or jealousy will not be filled with love and purity. How about deeds? We will be ineffective teachers, peacemakers, examples, and edifiers if we constantly spill out complaint, controversy, gossip, or quarreling. It’s vital to test both drive and delivery to know what detritus holds us back.

Are there habits or relationships that pressure resolve to the point of cracking? With what do we fill our hours that drowns out the Holy Spirit’s influence or power? Once we acknowledge attitudes and actions that dishonor our Maker, we can surrender to His reshaping. Having fled the dishonorable, depending on the Lord with cleansed, expectant heart, we’re strengthened to pursue righteousness, and motivated to serve the Master with every good work. How will we use our lives to honor Him? (1 Corinthians 3:13)

Lord God, make me an honorable vessel that is filled with Your Spirit, eager to serve, and brings You praise and joy.

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift…

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:1-7,11-16

Paul is determined to do all he can to ensure that the churches he founded are unified and strong. While walking and building are required, he encourages them that the Spirit of God provides needed humility and vision, faith to endure, His gifts of ministry, and the will to grow. Every command is issued with power and holy enabling so God’s will is accomplished. (Philippians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Seeking unity and fullness in the Body of Christ, the Lord tasks each member with responsibility to do his part. Walking worthy of our calling is not easy, nor meant to be done, alone. Building the Body harnesses individual agency as it assumes many parts and contributions to the whole. Gifts are bestowed to be honed and exercised, maturity and love the goal.

A humble and eager acceptance of God’s high calling is foremost. The Lord saves and sanctifies individuals, and then exquisitely facilitates their working together to build up the church. One Lord, one faith, one hope are both divine gift and goal. Fellowship and working in ministry are the natural compulsion of surrendered saints, and their glorious goal.

How honestly, faithfully, and closely are we walking worthy of our calling in Christ? How easily, and in what areas, are we swept up in fad doctrines and schemes? How can practice of our spiritual gifts and committed fellowship contribute to personal and corporate maturity, and what will we do about it?

“Christ, of all my hopes the ground,
Christ, the spring of all my joy,
still in you may I be found,
still for you my pow’rs employ.

Let your love my heart inflame;
keep your fear before my sight;
be your praise my highest aim;
be your smile my chief delight.

Fountain of o’erflowing grace,
freely from your fullness give;
’til I close my earthly race,
may I prove it ‘Christ to live.'” ~ Ralph Wardlaw (1817)

Lord, may I walk and build according to Your will, to Your glory.

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
    May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and give you support from Zion!
May he remember all your offerings
    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah

May he grant you your heart’s desire
    and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
    and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
    he will answer him from his holy heaven
    with the saving might of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall,
    but we rise and stand upright.

O Lord, save the king!
    May he answer us when we call.” Psalm 20

David writes a blessing based on personal experience. He’s known intimate communion with the Lord, the exquisite connection of communication from heart to heaven, and the divine response of the Holy One to earthly need. He has learned to articulate his trouble and pour out his heart’s desire, and received the Lord’s answers, protection, and granting. He has known need and offered sacrifices, and been blessed by God’s help, support, and pleased favor. He deeply trusts in his God who saves, in the might of His right hand and the power of His name. As he delineates the Lord’s goodness to him, he sings with joy and confidence, bestowing the same for all who would join the song. (Psalm 21:1-7)

And we can. We can welcome days of trouble that send us to the throne of God. We can rejoice in His name that is our firm foundation. We can offer Him our meager, knowing it’s regarded with honor. We can bring him our heart’s desires and plans as petitions, and trust Him to answer. We can establish and hold high banners of identity and victory in His name, because it can be trusted. Whatever our circumstances that cause others to faint and collapse, we can rise and stand upright in the name and presence of the Lord.

How is all this possible? Through the rent veil. Through the spilling of Christ’s blood that opens access to the throne of grace. All because of Jesus can we know and relish and abide in the grand connection. (Mark 15:37-38; Hebrews 4:14-16; 10:19-23)

Is this our experience? How would we describe our communion with God? What intimate give-and-take experiences have we in remembrance that can bless and encourage others? Where and when has the Lord Jesus our hope? Is His name our shield and confidence and security? (Psalm 71:5; 124:8; 1 Samuel 2:2; Lamentations 3:24)

“My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.

When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay;
dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless I stand before the throne.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand.” ~ Edward Mote (1834)

Father, keep me ever connected to You in prayer and praise.

“Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord, over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
    and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
    and strips the forests bare,
    and in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!..’

The Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless his people with peace!” Psalm 29

Ascribe: To say or think that (something) is caused by, comes from, or is associated with (something or someone): assign, credit. To regard as arising from a specified cause or source; attribute. To regard as belonging to or produced by a specified agent, place, or time. To attribute, impute, or refer, as to a cause.

David the psalmist cannot contain his telling of the greatness of God. He calls all to sing, to praise, to ascribe in every way possible glory to Him as He deserves. With his voice, he speaks of God’s voice that thunders authority, majestically directs, destroys and gives life, flames and shakes and orchestrates His creation. It is the cause and credit of all that is and transpires. Be awed at His voice! Voice His praise!

The Lord has given most people a voice, and as stewards we must consider how it is used. Considering all the conversation, instruction, strategizing, relaying of information, and banter over the hours of a day, we have many opportunities to speak for, and with the grace of, Jesus. How committed are we to mimic that voice in our interactions and expressions?

How can I attune my voice to my Lord’s? Where and with whom can I voice encouragement, comfort, love, edification, blessing? How will I use my voice to describe what God has done, to share the gospel, to exalt His greatness? And how, this day, will I ascribe to God the honor, gratitude ,and glory of which He is worthy?

“O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!” ~ Robert Grant (1833)

Lord, may my voice ever resound with praise, ascribing all You are so gloriously due.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death… on a cross…

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now,.. work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

“Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death… Let us… think this way.” Philippians 2:3-8,12-15; 3:7-10,15

Paul is a master at explaining the truth of things. As he urges Christlike behavior, he explores the necessary foundation of understanding and applying Christ’s humility. It was He who perfectly laid aside His glory and desire for the good of God’s children, He who emptied Himself so believers could live. Therefore the church is to work out salvation by cooperating with the Spirit within who convicts and inspires at God’s good pleasure. Paul not only teaches but exemplifies this mindset as he exalts Christ as supreme in his life and ministry.

It is our minds that dictate what we do and the direction we take. Desire stems from thought and assumption, and motivation is fueled by the value we place on how we invest different aspects of ourselves. To humbly consider others over self, genuinely looking out for their interests at whatever expense, is an indication of the mind of Christ within.

What does our behavior reveal about whom we are really serving? Do we dive into the day clutching our own agenda? Do we endure work as it’s comfy and beneficial for us, or look to see how the Lord would have us serve our company and colleagues? Do we pass time with what pleases us, or treat it as a gift to be spent for God’s kingdom? Taking time to contemplate the Lord Jesus’s sacrificial life and death will work His heartbeat and mindset into our souls. How might we better hone a Christ-like mind today?

Lord, teach me Your thinking, fill me with Your passion, and be glorified in my living.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: You have seen all the disaster that I brought upon Jerusalem and Judah. They are a desolation, and no one dwells in them, because of the evil they committed, provoking me to anger, in that they went to make offerings and serve other gods… Yet I persistently sent to you all my servants the prophets… Why do you provoke me to anger with the works of your hands, making offerings to other gods.., so that you may be cut off and become a curse and a taunt among all the nations of the earth?.. Therefore.., I will set my face against you for harm, to cut off all Judah…’

“Then all the men who knew that their wives had made offerings to other gods, and the women who stood by, a great assembly.., answered Jeremiah: ‘As for the word you have spoken in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you.  But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did.., in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster. But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine…’ 

“Then Jeremiah said to all the people..: ‘As for the offerings you offered in the cities of Judah and streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and officials, and the people of the land, did not the Lord remember them? Did it not come into his mind? The Lord could no longer bear your evil deeds and the abominations that you committed. Therefore your land has become a desolation and a waste and a curse, without inhabitant… It is because you made offerings and because you sinned against the Lord and did not obey the voice of the Lord or walk in his law and statutes and testimonies that this disaster has happened to you, as at this day…’

“I will punish you in this place.” Jeremiah 44:2-4a,8,11,15-18,20-23,29

Jeremiah is consistent and relentless with God’s warnings to Judah, yet they repeatedly reject the words they do not like to hear. Rather than feeling conviction for their idolatry and recognizing God’s merciful pause and consequent just judgment, their deceived and stubborn minds think only false gods serve them for good. Truth falls hard on hard hearts, but it stands nonetheless.

Lessons rejected are revealing and instructional. How easy it is to credit ourselves with any good, and blame God for disaster. Embedded idolatry and repeated lies destroy perspective, distort truth, and harden our hearts from taking responsibility. While we are wont to condemn Israel’s calloused sensitivities and rebellious resistance to God’s word, we must recognize where we too eschew His warnings and fail to follow.

What excuses do we make, subconsciously or deliberately, for blatant sin? Comparisons and cultural decay do not excuse dishonoring God. Entertainment, self-gratification, and foreign gods are never to displace the Lord as first love. Where do we need to come clean? (Revelation 2:4)

How has the Lord patiently abided our spiritual sloth and ingratitude? What warnings from His word bring conviction? When we practice what He teaches, we grow in faith and Christ-likeness.

Lord, help me process and apply Your gracious lessons, to Your honor.

“It is you who light my lamp;
    the Lord my God lightens my darkness.
For by you I can run against a troop,
    and by my God I can leap over a wall.
This God—his way is perfect;
    the word of the Lord proves true;
    he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—
the God who equipped me with strength
    and made my way blameless.
He made my feet like the feet of a deer
    and set me secure on the heights.
He trains my hands for war…
You have given me the shield of your salvation,
    your right hand supported me,
    and your gentleness made me great.
You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
    and my feet did not slip…
You equipped me with strength for the battle…

The Lord lives, blessed be my rock,
    exalted be the God of my salvation..—

For this I will praise you, O Lord,
    and sing to your name.
Great salvation he brings to his king.” Psalm 18:28-36,39a,46,49-50a

Many are the mentions in Scripture of lamps, from their burning in temple worship to their importance in military conquest to their significance in watching for the bridegroom’s coming. God’s word is likened to a lamp lighting the believer’s way. David’s praise of God as his strength, rock, shield, and deliverer presupposes the Lord’s salvation of his soul and expresses his grateful dependence on God’s ongoing supply for the light of his life. Any success of his was the result of God’s grace and bounty. (Exodus 27:20-21; Judges 7:16-22; Proverbs 6:23; Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 12:35)

We live in a dark world, the glory of God shrouded by sad effects of the fall. Immorality, profanity, sickness, relational and national divisions, suffering, betrayal, violence, and death all cast shadows on what the Lord intended for good. Jesus as Light of the world calls us to be filled with light and shine as lights for Him. (Genesis 1:31; Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12; Philippians 2:14-16)

Where am I lacking Christ’s light? Do I need His inspiration in my spiritual disciplines, or at work? Am I lacking wisdom and insight in a particular situation or relationship? Do I need the light of hope in grief, comfort in discouragement, or fortitude in opposition? Have I coddled sin and need His forgiveness to free me from its darkness? Look to the Lord for light! (Psalm 119:105; 1 John 1:7-9)

When we turn to the Lord to fill our lamps- of soul, mind, outlook, or priorities- we can trust His Spirit’s supply. As we then walk in that light, delighting in His presence, we will be able to rejoice in its illumination and divine effects. When have we last enumerated the many ways God has lightened our darkness? Staying filled with Christ’s light ensures security, hope, and inner joy. (Psalm 36:9; Ephesians 5:18-20)

“Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, 
give me oil in my lamp, I pray;
give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, 
keep me burning till the break of day.

Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, 
give me love in my heart, I pray;
give me peace in my heart, keep me loving, 
keep me burning till the break of day.” ~ A. Sevison (20th c)

Lord, light my lamp daily, so I might burn for Thee.

“The Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you…’

“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him… [at] seventy-five years old… to go to the land of Canaan… And there he built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord.” Genesis 12:1,4-5,8

“The Lord came and stood, calling.., ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.'” 1 Samuel 3:10

“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.” Matthew 9:9

“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.” Mark 1:16-20

“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!'” John 21:21-22

Peppered through the Scriptures are accounts of the magnetic, effective call of the Lord. Individuals responded to God’s voice by following not a path nor prescription nor project, but Him. As Christ directed His call to the early disciples, they decisively abandoned what they were doing to follow the One who issued the call.

Many are the voices in the world vying for our attention. Here we can invest, there we can find affection. Here a purpose, there a project. Here a discovery, there fulfillment. Only the Lord calls in such a way as to draw us into His higher will, the fruitfulness of our salvation. (Proverbs 8:1-21,34-35; 9:13-18)

When we follow Him, we likely will not see the path, know the ways we will take, nor be able to chart out the future. His intent is to teach us to follow Him. To do that we must know Him and be acquainted with His word. As we set aside time for worship and commune with Him, He will draw near and guide. We listen, watch, and wait, trust and obey, and He leads to next steps, unveils the land, and teaches the lessons.

What or whom is our daily director? Where do we prefer tackling a project or process over waiting on Jesus? What impatience, indifference, fear of exposure, or doubt hinders true progress? Determining to follow Him alone brings unimaginable blessing.

“When we walk with the Lord 
in the light of his word, 
what a glory he sheds on our way! 
While we do his good will, 
he abides with us still, 
and with all who will trust and obey. 

What he says we will do, 
where he sends we will go; 
never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way 
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” ~ John Sammis (1887)

Lord, keep me attuned to Your voice, and following You over anyone or anything else.

“[Righteousness] will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Romans 4:24-5:9

“Through him we have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:18-21

There is much attaining for the believer in Christ. Because of His grace and gift of Self at Calvary, those justified by faith are counted as righteous and given sure hope of glory, power to endure, and the Spirit’s indwelling and pledge of sanctification. Full access to God the Father, Christ’s throne and blessings, and the family of God is immediately available. Paul richly describes the bounty afforded every believer, his words inviting full participation and partaking. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

In and out, across and through, daily we carry on as citizens of heaven in the world. We push and press to make our way, open doors, and cross thresholds, when our real challenge is to take advantage of our access to the Lord as we manage life here below. How can we apply in present situations the gifts He has attained for us by His sovereign will?

It’s important to take inventory of what Christ has won and made available, and allow each facet to soak in. The further we delve into His spiritual blessings and the more often we approach and submit before His throne of grace, the greater the unfolding of His infinite attributes, the richer our communion with the Savior. Reciting and thanking Him for His graces and favor serves to focus our minds on Him. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Do we struggle with identity as seasons of usefulness and health change? We are His children, heirs of glory, chosen and predestined to bear His holy image! Are we pestered by shame, dark reruns of foolish, regrettable behavior? We are redeemed, forgiven, lavished with cleansing and grace! Do we wrestle with significance, a purpose or legacy that will outlive us? We’re a vital part of His mysterious will and Body, contributing to His renown!

Lord, keep folding me into the counsel of Your will that I freely access Your gifts and graces to the praise of Your glory.

“Samuel said, ‘Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.’ So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted and said, ‘We have sinned against the Lord…’ Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people said to Samuel, ‘Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.^‘ So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel.  And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.^‘ So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.” 1 Samuel 7:5-13

Samuel led Israel with spiritual wisdom and consistent prayer. In spite of their fickleness and folly, for their eternal sake, he sought the Lord’s help and favor. He would not be with them forever, so he left them a stone of remembrance, not to call him to mind, but to remind them of God’s powerful interceding and deliverance in their impossibility. Thus far He had helped them, and He would help them still.

We all need Samuels and Ebenezers in our lives. We might have grit and determination for many challenges, but we also endure moments, even seasons, of weak faith. It is a true gift to have a wise and steadfast friend we can implore for prayer, one who will recount for us God’s gracious victories and strong hand. God uses the support and refreshment of others to build our faith and expectancy.

We too can be Samuels for fellow Christians, ones they can trust with their fears and foes, ones they can believe will undergird them in prayer and point them to the Lord. It is helpful to journal personal remembrances of God’s intimate answers and mighty interventions so we can share what He’s done and can do. How eager are we to listen to others’ needs? How faithful to take them to the Lord in prayer?

When have we thanked God for those who’ve sacrificed to support us? How will we intercede for the needy? Gritty and selfless involvement with others results in great honor to God.

“Here I raise my Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.” ~ Robert Robinson (1758)

Father, build my repertoire of Ebenezer stones for others’ help and Your praise.