Hitherto Has God Helped Us. Series

Text: 1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭1-14‬ KJV

And the men of Kirjath–jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord. And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath–jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtoreth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtoreth, and served the Lord only. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you unto the Lord. And they gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah. And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. 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. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth–car. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben–ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

INTRODUCTION:-

Church we have course to appreciate God this morning. Weight every challenge you are facing it is only the GRACE and the MERCY of God upon us, your country, family, work, business, church, that kept us alive today and if satan has not taken over our senses we will know that we should thank God and appreciate Him.

Anyone not grateful is a great fool. Opposite of grateful is great fool

BODY

An interesting story here. Samuel was in charge, the children of Israel had sinned and moved away from God. Know this today that a good sign of moving far away from God is when you stop appreciating His mercy upon your life.

I am sorry for those who grumble because they are only affecting themselves.

The Philistines were upon them. Samuel offered a burnt offering to God so that God can deliver them from the mess they brought upon their lives, due to idolatry. Called on God and God answered them. On that spot of deliverance, being saved, all was not perfect yet, but they could say thank God saying

"Therein and thus far has God helped us", This place is our Ebenezer.

The Lord will continue to help you henceforth through out this month and beyond.

When we celebrate we show gratitude to God that even in our current situation, without Him we cannot get this far. Someone that give thanks for yesterday will receive more grace.

Five years we have been with u here, this is also the fifth month of the year, we are bold to say thank u Jesus "therein have You helped us". Before another year go by if we find Grace. Six is abundant Grace. Get ready to double your speed of five years in just one year. But show appreciation first, for thus far

Act of gratitude determines your altitude. Your height in life

When Samuel was given victory, he did not stay there, he moved forward. We must keep moving as a church and personally. From hence we must continue to move forward.