“…bring out each record of God’s faithfulness as if it were a rare and precious jewel. You gaze upon it, caress it, hold it tenderly, and perhaps even kiss it.”
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Dear Christian Pilgrim,
How often do you open that store in your heart where the records of God’s miraculous interventions in your life are kept? Do you do it often? If so, I hope you do it even more often.
Oh, how hope is rekindled and faith renewed when you bring out each record of God’s faithfulness as if it were a rare and precious jewel. You gaze upon it, caress it, hold it tenderly, and perhaps even kiss it.
To call to mind the records of God’s faithfulness and interventions, and to ponder on them, is what John Newton called the review of your sweet Ebenezers.
Bring out one sweet Ebenezer from the store, and you will be reminded of storms that could have swallowed you, were it not for the Lord’s mercies and His unending compassion. (Lam. 3:22)
Open that store again and bring out another sweet Ebenezer. Examine it. Does it not remind you of the fervent, fearful prayers you uttered in times of trouble? Are you not now nodding in agreement with the psalmist who sang, “I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears”? (Psalm 34:4.)
Another sweet Ebenezer from that vault will remind you of God’s unfathomable and unlimited power. As you dwell on that sweet Ebenezer, are you not reminded of how He made a way in the wilderness and streams of water in the desert? (Is. 43:19)
And you can’t stop, nor should you! Dwell on your sweet Ebenezers, dear Christian pilgrim, and you will be reminded of the One who lifted yokes from your neck and burdens from your back when men and Satan sought to enslave you (Is. 10:27). Recall that specific occasion – can you not now see how what was meant for your destruction was used by God for your elevation and promotion? (Gen. 50:20) Do you not see that He worked everything out for your good? (Rom. 8:28) How, for your consolation, he gave you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness? (Is. 61:3) How He moved you from the back of the queue to the very front, granting you a seat in places you never dreamed you’d be? (1 Sam. 16:13) How He spoke to you in dreams and visions, and not one of His good promises failed? (Joshua 21:45)
Are these not the recollections that those sweet Ebenezers bring to you? And does His love in times past notforbid you from supposing or entertaining the thought that He will leave you in your present troubles to sink? Do not these sweet Ebenezers confirm His good pleasure to see you through this present storm?
He is still the same who delights in hearing and answering prayer. He is still the same who will fulfill all He has promised.
His love, in times past,
Forbids me to think
He’ll leave me at last
In trouble to sink:
Each sweet Ebenezer
I have in review
Confirms His good pleasure
To help me completely through. – From the hymn, Begone Unbelief by John Newton
Say this prayer.
Dear Lord,
Please increase my faith and banish fear, despair, and hopelessness in my heart. Hear my prayer for your divine intervention, and grant me yet another sweet Ebenezer to store, cherish, and share with generations to come.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Pilgrim’s Joy Devotional is a collection of meditations inspired by Christian hymns. This episode was written and presented by Olufemi Oguntokun. Do you want to join the GospelBellsRadio community? Please send us a WhatsApp message or an email. Do you have a prayer request? Send it here anonymously. Do you have a testimony to share? Send us a WhatsApp Voice Note here or simply request to be our guest (live or by telephone) on ThankfulThursday@7AM.