A thunder destroyed the Philistines.

1 Samuel 7:10  And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.

The context of this miracle

 In 1 Samuel 7, during the end of the time of the judges, Israel experiences revival under the leadership of Samuel. The nation repents of their sin, destroys their idols, and begins to seek the Lord (1 Samuel 7:2–4). Samuel gathered the people at Mizpah where they confessed their sin, and Samuel offered a sacrifice on their behalf (verses 5–9).

It was during this time of repentance and renewal that the enemy attacked: “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle” 

A great victory

Israel’s victory over the Philistines was decisive. Several cities the Philistines had captured were restored to Israel, and it was a long time before the Philistines tried to invade Israel again.

To commemorate the divine victory, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us’” (verse 12).

Ebenezer means “stone of help.” From then on, every time an Israelite saw the stone erected by Samuel, he would have a tangible reminder of the Lord’s power and protection. The “stone of help” marked the spot where the enemy had been routed and God’s promise to bless His repentant people had been honored. The Lord had helped them, all the way to Ebenezer.

Ebenezer – the Lord is our Help

Throughout the Bible, stones have had great significance.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

The victory was the Lord’s and the people were preserved.  The help that the Lord had given them was memorialized when “… Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12.

 The Lord is our Ebenezer Stone.  He is our ever-present help in times of trouble.

Hebrews 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

What Are Some Modern Examples of "Ebenezers"?

We all have different ways in which we remember God's faithfulness. Although the list below is not comprehensive, they can give some ideas of how Christians memorialize God's good acts in their past.

* Many Christians will keep a prayer journal or a catalog of events that happened within the day.

* Some people use literal stones as Ebenezers.

* Some also may use photobooks as a reminder of how God moved faithfully in the past.

* Other people share memories on Facebook as a way to recall all those Ebenezer moments

There is no one right way to remember God and how he has moved in your life. But today I would like to encourage you on creating a physical reminder of God's victories. 

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