Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only…. (ISam. 7:2-5) While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. (ISam. 7:10-11)
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12)
I love this part of Israel’s story : where Israel decides to turn away from their idols (again) and turn towards the Lord in hopes that they would be delivered from the Philistines. Then Samuel sacrifices a burnt offering, the LORD delivers a lot of thunder and the Philistines run away scared like little girls and the Israelites are reminded One. More. Time. Our God is a rescuing God.
I wish I could tell you my memory was good; that I ALWAYS remember just the right thing at just the right time. But its not. In fact, its been pretty lousy the last couple of weeks.
In January I went to my normal checkup with my physician to look over my skin condition. Everything looked good, and in fact I’m doing well. We left Nashville that day after having lunch with friends and came home. All was well, and I found another reminder of God’s healing in my life. It’s this beautiful footed glass. I keep it out where I can see it, and be reminded. It’s a lovely reminder with all of its facets and simple beauty: God is good.
But, fast forward a few weeks, and here we are in a bit of an unexpected place with our youngest daughter and a pretty unsettling health concern. And where do I end up? I end up on the run from all my fears, just like the Israelites.
Look, its not easy to admit, but Samuel might as well have said it straight up to me: If you’ll turn from your idols and return to the Lord, commit to him, and love Him only – then HE will defeat your enemies. Of course my idols aren’t Ashtoreth or Baal, but they definitely are things I love: my sweet family, our health and well-being, our future, and lets not forget my own peace and comfort… none are bad, except when I love these things SO MUCH I can’t remember who to love more
AND worse, in this case, I’ve forgotten who loves me most.
What was the remedy? Remembering. I stared at this beautiful ebenezer on my dining room table and recalled His goodness. I spent time rehearsing His love for me, and the truth of His promises; He will deliver me in times of trouble. There was no thunder or lightening – but I know He is a promise-keeping, ever-faithful, always loving God.
Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid.
daily portion 