They actually DID IT!
Israel was sick and tired of fighting. Of all their surrounding enemies, the Philistines were the most painful and persistent thorn in Israel’s flesh. Frankly, the outnumbered Hebrews were no military match for the Philistine hordes with their superior weaponry, chariots … not to mention, giants. They even held the corner on the regional blacksmithing trade, effectively disarming and depriving Israel of swords and spears. In a word, the situation was hopeless.
But, it wasn’t hopeless, for Israel had always had a Secret Weapon. The prophet, Samuel, laid it out to them straight: “If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, and put away the strange local gods from among you, and serve the LORD, and Him only: THEN He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:3) Period. God would fight their battles for them, if only they would SHEMA—hear, hearken and obey the Word of the LORD. It was just THAT simple.
Well, wonder of wonders … they did it! The children of Israel, to the man, listened to Samuel and obeyed. They repented, threw away their idols, and recommitted to serving only the LORD Jehovah. As a result, “that day, the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.”
That victory was HUGE—a major turning point for God’s people. Samuel wanted to mark its place forever on the timeline of history. So, he erected a stone monument and named it “‘Ebenezer,’ saying ‘Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.’” (1 Samuel 7:12)
In other words, Samuel was looking with gratitude to the past and the future—with faith and with hope—saying “So far, so good.”
Are YOU weary from fighting the good fight? Have you been wondering if it will ever get easier—if the load will ever get lighter? Are you running on empty … yet the end seems farther away than ever?
If yes, then THIS is the perfect time to PAUSE and have a “so far, so good” moment. Take a deep breath. Turn around. Then, with thankful eyes look back and see how far the Lord has already brought you. Consider the distance already traveled—the progress already made—and then mark the spot with an Ebenezer of your own.
Think about it.
- Hitherto … the LORD has helped you and healed you.
- Hitherto … the LORD has held you in His hand and never let you go.
- Hitherto … He has protected, provided for and prospered you.
- Hitherto … He has guided your steps, prepared your way, and is, even NOW, assuring your ultimate victory.
You’re already past the point of no return. You’re too close to the finish line to drop out of the race—so, don’t give up. Just take a breather.
Say to your soul …
“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” (Psalm 116:7 NIV)
Say to the LORD …
“Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.” (Psalm 119:68 KJV)
Sing to the LORD …
“For every mountain You brought me over,
For every trial you’ve seen me through,
For every blessing—Hallelujah!
For this I give You praise!” (Kurt Carr)
His faithfulness has been constant—so should be your praise. His love is enduring—so should be your faith. His promises are sure—so should be your trust.
“For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.” (Psalm 92:4)
It builds your faith to say with your whole heart, “So far You’ve helped me, LORD! It’s ALL good!” It establishes your hope to say, “You’ve helped me this far—I KNOW You’ll help me all the way!”
Ask yourself, “What do my sins deserve?” For all the ways you have broken His laws and His heart … for all the times you’ve turned on Him, has He ever once turned on YOU? Every time you’ve come and dumped all your filthy sins on the altar, has He ever once refused them? He SHOULD have, but NO, for … “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12 KJV)
So FAR.
Has the love of Jesus ever been withheld? Has His mercy ever been withdrawn or His grace period ever expired? Has the LORD ever said, “You’re too late.” NO, for “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and His mercies never come to an end.” (Lamentations 3:22)
“His love has no limit,
His grace has no measure;
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men,
For out of the infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”
(Annie Johnson Flint)
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” (1 Chronicles 16:34) He has been good, He is good, and, His “goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life …” (Psalm 23:6)
So GOOD.
“When I look back over my life
And I think things over,
I can truly say that I’ve been blessed!
I’ve got a testimony!” (Clay Evans)
“Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24 BSB)
If He has brought you this far, and has provided for you this well all the way to this point … then He will continue all the way.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6 KJV)
“Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.”
SO FAR, and forevermore … God is SO GOOD!
