We had the joy last week of having our granddaughter, Ashley, and her husband Edwin (and their delightful puppy, Murphie) with us for a couple days. We packed the time with lots of activities, but the afternoons were a bit too hot for any rigorous physical activity, so on one afternoon we took a tour of our excellent local museum. Since it is a large log structure without windows, it is a “cool” place to visit on a hot day! 

     As we made our way around the many exhibits reflecting the early history of our community, I was a bit shocked at how many names, events, and relics I could relate to!  (Does that tell you something?). For example, there were photographs and stories of the Christmas trees that Libby has provided to our nation’s Capital. I was in the band that played as one of the trees was shipped from our train depot (many years ago).  I also saw school athletic jackets and sweaters that belonged to  parents of my classmates!  It brought back lots of memories.  At the exhibit of antique carpentry tools, I noticed that there were several which I still have and use!  I recognized many of the last names of families that were in our community as I grew up here, each of which triggered memories of those days and events. It was a fun “day at the museum!”

     In the Bible we see a number of events and objects that served as memorials, prompting reflection on God’s past actions. For example, we have the Passover which commemorates God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt, and how, by applying the blood of a lamb to their homes, the death angel that came in the final plague, “passed over” those homes (Ex. 12:13). It also serves as a picture of how, when we trust Christ’s work at Calvary for our salvation, His blood is applied to us so that we won’t face judgment for our sins (Eph. 1:7). 

     We also have The Lord’s Supper, which He instituted at His final Passover on earth to remind us of the sacrifice He made as He paid the penalty for our sins on the cross (II Cor. 5:21; I Pet. 2:24).Jesus’ instructions were to partake of the bread and the cup “In remembrance” of Him (I Cor. 11:24,25). And, speaking of memorials, each time we see a cross we should be reminded of our Savior’s loving sacrifice for us.

     There are also a number of stone monuments in Scripture that served as memorials of what God had done for His people. In order to commemorate the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River at flood stage (Josh. 3), God instructed Joshua to have one man from each tribe bring a stone from the river bed and set it up on the east side of the river (at Gilgal). God said, “Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever’ ” (Josh. 4:6,7). The stones at Gilgal served as tangible reminders of God’s power and faithfulness. 

     Samuel also erected a stone monument to commemorate God’s victory (on Israel’s behalf) over the Philistines. He called the stone “Ebenezer” (“stone of help”). saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us” (I Sam. 7:12).  The stone recognized God’s past assistance and encouraged continued trust in the future.  In the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by John Wyeth, the second stanza (in the original version) reads: “Here I raise my Ebenezer” (A later version reads: “Here I raise to Thee an altar–Hither by Thy help I’m come; and I hope by Thy good pleasures safely to arrive at home…”).  In his hymn, Wyeth was expressing gratitude for God’s past blessings and an assured hope and confidence of guidance in the future until God took him home.

     A  “day at the museum” brought back many memories of growing up in Libby, Montana.  I also have a number of “memorial stones” from God’s past  blessings in my life. The list includes old Volkswagon Beatles (or “Bugs”), flyrods, U-Haul trucks, Hyster Lift trucks, and old Jeep Wagoneers.  Each of these triggers a memory of something special God did in the past. These “Ebenezers”  give me confidence that God will continue working in my life in the future until He takes me home. The Apostle Paul wrote these words of encouragement to the believers at Philippi: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). 

     Maybe you  need to “spend a day at the museum,”  recalling God’s special blessings in your past and renewing your hope for the future.  It is good to have a list of “Ebenezers” that are reminders of what God has done. Each time you see those “stones of Help,” thank God for what He has done in your life and be excited for what He has in store for you in the future. “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20,21). 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N