When God Answers: Raising Your Ebenezer Stone

We humans have always had a deep need to remember—especially those moments when God has shown up in our lives. From the earliest days of civilization, long before agriculture or cities, people raised stones as markers, reminders of something significant. These standing stones, like those at Gobekli Tepe or Stonehenge, are ancient testaments to our desire to not let important stories fade with time. Even in our own communities, we see stones raised in memory, whether in graveyards or in the stories of lost monuments from our hometowns.

In the Bible, Samuel sets up a stone and calls it “Ebenezer,” meaning “stone of help,” after God answered Israel’s desperate prayer and delivered them from the Philistines. The stone wasn’t to honor Samuel or the people’s strength, but to remind everyone who passed by that God hears and answers when we call. This act of remembrance is echoed in the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” written by Robert Robinson, who himself experienced God’s help and transformation. Robinson’s life was marked by wandering and struggle, but the hymn became his own Ebenezer—a reminder of God’s faithfulness, even when he later felt lost or uncertain.

We are all prone to forget. Life moves quickly, memories fade, and even the most powerful encounters with God can slip from our minds. That’s why it’s so important to set up our own “Ebenezer stones”—physical reminders, journals, mementos, or even simple objects that help us recall the times God has been present and faithful. These reminders are not just for nostalgia; they anchor us when we wander, call us back when we drift, and help us hold on to hope when faith feels distant.

As we reflect on our own journeys, let’s take time to remember those moments when God answered, provided, or simply made His presence known. Let’s raise our own Ebenezers, so that when we find ourselves wandering, we can touch those stones—literal or figurative—and remember: God has helped us before, and He will help us again.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Remembering anchors us in God’s faithfulness Setting up reminders—whether stones, journals, or mementos—helps us recall God’s past faithfulness. These Ebenezers are not just sentimental; they ground us in the reality that God has acted before and can be trusted to act again. In seasons of doubt or wandering, these reminders call us back to hope. [53:00]
• 2. God’s help is not about our strength The story of Samuel’s Ebenezer shows that the focus is not on human achievement, but on God’s intervention. When we remember, we are not celebrating our own victories, but God’s willingness to answer when we call. This humility keeps our faith centered on God’s grace, not our own efforts. [52:17]
• 3. We are prone to forget, so we must be intentional Even the most profound spiritual experiences can fade from memory over time. By intentionally creating ways to remember—through stories, objects, or songs—we guard against spiritual amnesia. This practice is a safeguard, helping us not to drift away from the truth of God’s presence in our lives. [67:58]
• 4. Our stories of wandering can become testimonies Like Robert Robinson, whose hymn became a lasting Ebenezer, our own stories of struggle and return can encourage others. Even when we feel lost, the reminders of God’s past help can draw us back and inspire faith in those around us. Our Ebenezers are not just for us, but for the generations that follow. [63:24]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [43:01] - Introduction: Ebenezer and Christmas Carol
• [44:20] - The Origin of Ebenezer’s Name
• [45:00] - Gobekli Tepe and Ancient Standing Stones
• [46:59] - Humanity’s Need to Remember
• [48:15] - Local Stories of Standing Stones
• [50:15] - Samuel and the Biblical Ebenezer
• [52:17] - The Meaning of the Stone of Help
• [53:00] - Robert Robinson’s Early Life
• [55:43] - A Fortune Teller’s Unexpected Prophecy
• [58:14] - Writing “Come Thou Fount”
• [59:33] - Robinson’s Ministry and Struggles
• [62:45] - The Stagecoach Story and Lasting Impact
• [64:46] - Our Own Ebenezers: Remembering God’s Help
• [67:58] - Practical Ways to Remember
• [69:57] - Invitation to Raise Your Ebenezer
• [70:55] - Reading and Singing “Come Thou Fount”

1. In the story from 1 Samuel 7, what did Samuel do after God delivered Israel from the Philistines? What was the purpose of the stone he set up?
2. According to the sermon, what are some examples from history and the preacher’s own life of people setting up physical reminders to remember important events? [46:59]
3. What does the word “Ebenezer” mean, and why did Samuel choose that name for the stone? [52:17]
4. In Hebrews 2:1, what warning is given to believers, and how does it connect to the idea of remembering?

1. Why do you think Samuel wanted the people to remember God’s help with a physical stone, rather than just telling the story? What does this say about human nature and memory? [52:17]
2. The sermon mentions that even powerful spiritual experiences can fade from memory. Why do you think we are so prone to forget God’s faithfulness, even after big answers to prayer? [01:05:29]
3. The story of Robert Robinson and his hymn “Come Thou Fount” was shared as an example of a personal Ebenezer. How can songs, stories, or objects serve as reminders of God’s work in our lives? [01:03:24]
4. Hebrews 2:1 warns against drifting away. How might intentional acts of remembrance help prevent spiritual drift?

1. The sermon encouraged us to set up our own “Ebenezer stones”—physical reminders, journals, or mementos—to help us remember God’s faithfulness. Do you have any objects, photos, or journals that serve this purpose in your life? If not, what could you create or start this week? [01:07:58]
2. Think back to a specific time when you know God answered a prayer, provided for you, or made His presence clear. How do you currently remember that moment? Is there a way you could make that memory more tangible or visible in your daily life? [01:04:46]
3. The sermon said that remembering is not just for nostalgia, but to anchor us when we wander or doubt. When was the last time you felt spiritually lost or distant? Did any reminders of God’s past help bring you back? [01:03:24]
4. Samuel’s stone was not to honor himself or Israel’s strength, but to point to God’s help. Are there ways you might be tempted to take credit for things that were really God’s doing? How can you shift the focus back to God’s grace? [52:17]
5. The preacher shared about keeping hospital bands, photos, or small objects as reminders of God’s help. What is one small, everyday item you could use as a personal Ebenezer this month? [01:09:15]
6. The hymn “Come Thou Fount” includes the line “Here I raise my Ebenezer.” What would it look like for you to “raise your Ebenezer” in your current season of life? Is there a story of God’s help you could share with someone else this week? [01:10:55]
7. Hebrews 2:1 warns us not to drift away. What practical steps can you take to “pay closer attention” to God’s work in your life, so you don’t forget or drift? [01:07:58]