I Samuel 7:12
‘Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”’
The Lord had just sent a great deliverance to Israel. They were out in an open area worshipping as a nation. The Philistines saw their vulnerability and went against them militarily. The Lord sent a thunderclap. Thus making them shellshocked. Israel took advantage, pursued and defeated them. The people were elated, so Samuel sets up a monument as a remembrance of this day. The basic phrase was “The Lord has helped”.
We are to remember the things the Lord has done for us. We do communion, because Jesus said to “Do this in memory of Me”. God does much for us. I’m sure there are a multitude of things done for us without our notice. There are also those things He does that we’ve prayed for. We are to be thankful.
Human nature celebrates the deliverance, but is quickly diverted with the next pursuit or problem. Luke 17 contains the account of Jesus healing ten lepers. Verses 17 and 18 contains what happened next, ‘Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? “Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”’ I would surmise that our gratitude percentage might not be much better than one in ten.
How can we be more thankful? We can reflect more. Think back on our day and be grateful. Today’s passage has Samuel memorializing the big instances. These are all ways to be thankful.
Lord, help us to be more grateful. Thank You for Your continual intervention in our favor.