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He named it “Ebenezer” (Rock of Help) not for worship, but as a monument of the victory obtained by the help of God, saying, “This marks the place where God helped us where the Israelites were twice beaten by the Philistines, and the ark taken was this salvation wrought for them”. This was but the beginning of their deliverance from the Philistines, and which was owing to the help of the Lord; and as He had begun to help them, they might hope and encourage themselves that He would go on to help them until their deliverance was completed. However, they with Samuel thought it their duty, which was right, to acknowledge what the Lord had done for them, and perpetuate the memory of it, though they could not be sure what He would do for them hereafter; yet as they were mindful of, and thankful for this instance of His goodness, they hoped for more, and had their dependence on Him for future success against their enemies.

When we look back over times that have been passed through and could count up the total of all disappointments, the weight of all concerns, the number of tests, each unpleasantness and everything that has met us, we can still say, in spite of all this the Lord has helped us to this point. Since the Lord has helped us until now, then He did not do it randomly, but because it lay in His holy Will. From this, we may also derive something else, He will help further, namely until we are at the goal. Then we are conclusively helped. Let us permit this comfort, this confidence, this fountain of strength to work in our souls. Count the gifts of grace, think about daily, what good our Heavenly Father has done.

We experience His help on our way to the heavenly home in a special manner in every divine service. There He offers us food and drink for our soul and new strength to be able to walk the way of faith. Everything that was lost on the way can still be replaced now. The necessary godly means are still at hand. Strengthened and refreshed in this way, we can carry on joyfully and should we once again become wounded, God cares for us through His healing word.

Let me once more seize the thought, what all could we have lost? Patience, peace in the family, understanding for each other, and not lastly, also the confidence. Let us redeem the divine services in our striving to regain all this for ourselves. Thus, may each one find himself under “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us”, and He will help further until we are at the goal.