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1 Samuel 7:12
12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jesha'nah, and called its name Ebene'zer; for he said, "Hitherto the LORD has helped us." (RSV)
Samuel had just set up a memorial to the act of redeeming Israel from their archenemies the Philistines. In ancient times the Israelites had a custom of setting up memorial stones to God's deliverance.
These memorial stones lasted for many years and so when an Israelite would pass by they would remember why that stone was set there. This particular stone was called Ebenezer, translated in the KJV "hitherto the Lord has helped." The NIV and
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NKJV translate this term "thus far the Lord has helped."
As I see it a new year is an opportunity to look around us and see how the Lord has blessed us THUS FAR over the past year. How has he blessed you and your family this past year? Is there something that you can see around you that you can hold as a memorial stone to God's blessings? Some I know can look at a new child, a new marriage, a new job, a baptismal certificate, etc. as your Ebenezers.
The word "hitherto" however does not just call us to remember past blessings but also look forward to blessings yet to come. What does the Lord hold for you for the year 2001?
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I believe we can expect blessings in proportion to our commitment to God.
For 2001 I want to encourage you to start the new year by seeking a closer relationship with Jesus by practicing a spiritual discipline that is different than what you have done in the past.
For myself, I have decided to do journaling. I purchased a devotional book (which is designed also as a journal) entitled My Utmost for His Highest on which I have started a daily prayer journal. I also purchased a new Bible (called Life Application Bible), that I now use to do my daily Bible study, with a goal of read-
See Pastor's Corner / page 2.
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