Here I Raise Mine Ebenezer

I read a couple of day ago in 1 Samuel about how the Philistines went to battle against Israel. The Philistines defeated Israel that day killing thirty thousand foot soldiers. If that was not enough, the Philistines took the ark of God- the very thing that represented the very glory of God. The reaction of the news was unmistakable of how devastating this was: Eli, the priest, fell backwards and broke his neck and died at the news; his daughter-in-law went into labor at the news that caused her death. Before she died she gave the name of the boy she birthed “Icabod”- meaning “the glory has departed from Israel” because the ark of God was taken (1 Samuel 4:21). Devastating times.

Just when the Philistines thought the ark of God would bring them fortune; it actually does the exact opposite- it brings death and tragedy wherever it goes. The Philistines finally get a clue and see that the hand of God is heavy against them and frantically make plans to return the ark back into the hands of the Israelites.

When it does get back into the hands of the Israelites, they are irreverent of what the ark of God represents and have the audacity to look inside the ark- it cost 50,070 men’s lives that day. Pretty intense to say the least- but the Lord made it abundantly clear in regards to His holiness.

Fast forward twenty years and the Israelites are still being oppressed by the Philistines. Samuel admonishes the people to repent, return to the LORD with all of their hearts and turn away from the worthless idols with prayers and fasting. The Lord hears, has compassion and answers their request.

Samuel was so overcome with emotion, that he could not surpass having an outward expression of his gratitude. “The Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’ So the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore within the border of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.” (1 Samuel 7:12-13)

Now clearly my story is not that dramatic- nor does it have to be. I have officially celebrated being on African soil for one year now. When I first arrived, I was on sensory overload with all the new sights and smells and new languages I had not heard before. With driving on the other side of the road and learning to drive a stick shift (which was definitely out of my comfort zone) to learning new customs and new vocabulary terms that South Africans use (like “biscuits” for cookies, “robot” for traffic light, “costume” for swim suit to name a few). I love my friends and now part of my family- from church, from the township, from the guest house to the company I work for. It has been a huge test of faith and obedience on my part, but He has been faithful every step of the way and will continue to be.

My ESL Ladies

Thankful for physical reminders of "how far" the Lord has taken me

So I will gladly raise mine Ebenezer because truly He has orchestrated it all and has helped me “thus far”. His story and what He is doing hear- continuing to shed light in the dark places with His truth has become my story. I have had the privilege of “proclaiming the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) and see Him save people, not by any words that I could conjure up, but all by His power and for His glory. I am constantly asking Him to redeem the time (Col. 4:5) because I only have 10 months left!