When a Christian in Yoruba land is assisting you in some way or another (or even seeing you off after a visit) and he/she feels they've done enough or can go no further; they often say, "Ebenezer; thus far the LORD has helped me" (in the Yoruba language anyway). Hearing this several times while growing up, I always wondered, "Are you saying He can help you no further?" I mean, if He has helped you up till that point, then He can help you go even further in assisting the person or seeing them off!
As time passed, I came to realise where they got it from, but I was shocked at the stark contrast between the real meaning & the Yoruba version! What they often meant was: this is how far I can go with you. In contrast, see the bible verse here:
1 Samuel 7:12 - Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."
Ebenezer literally means "stone of the help". The stone was a memorial of thanksgiving to the LORD for the victory He gave Israel over their Philistine enemies. That same way, God is our Helper. All through the book of Psalms, David kept speaking of God as his helper & Israel's helper, asking Him to help him, thanking Him for His help. In fact, he said, "Your help has made me great" (Psalm 18:35). Through Isaiah, Jeremiah & Ezekiel, God kept speaking of how He had helped/would help His people.
When Jesus came, Himself being Jehovah Ezer (the LORD our help), He began to help people by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, delivering them from the devil who was oppressing them (Acts 10:38). The ultimate help He gave was on the cross, taking our sin & the judgment we couldn't carry (Isaiah 53). He conquered Satan for us (Hebrews 2:14), then He rose from spiritual death & received the highest name/title in all ages (Ephesians 1:21, Philippians 2:9-11). Now, all the help we need is available in His Name (Psalm 121:2). Halleluyah!
Having ascended, He not only gave us His Name for our help; He sent us another Person to take His place, One that can help us exactly as He would help us if He could stay. He sent us His precious Holy Spirit. He called Him "paraclete" (Greek) in John 14:16, meaning Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Strengthener, Intercessor, Standby and.......you guessed right, HELPER!!!
Glory to God! I've got the Helper in me now! Jehovah Ezer! He is in me! Halleluyah! I will never be helpless again in my life! My help is in the Name! My Helper is inside me!!!
When you need help, invoke the Name! Whisper it, shout it, anyway you want; but by all means, "Jesus!" When you require help, say "Holy Spirit, you're my Helper, I receive Your help right now". Then pray in tongues! Let living streams of help gush out of your belly!
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God; the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. God shall HELP her, and that right early (Psalm 46:4&5)
The Holy Ghost is the river (John 7:37&38), tongues is one of the streams (Proverbs 18:2 & Acts 2:4); you are the city of God, you are one of the many tabernacles of the Most High (1Corinthians 3:16) and your spirit is the holy place where He dwells. Do you get the picture?! Are you seeing it?! You will not be moved, you will not fall! You are helped right early (at the break of day)!
Jehovah Ezer is in you now, will you ignore Him and go from pillar to post looking for help? Will you sit on the floor & cry your eyes out because there is "nobody" to help you? Will you mourn because a physical helper has been removed from the scene & you think you are now helpless? If you do, you ignore/forsake your help. It's a choice. That doesn't change the fact that Jehovah Ezer is in you. If you know this, then you can rejoice, you can "lambano" (Greek: receive/take hold of) His help & be made great! What is your choice today?
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