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SCRIPTURES

1 SAMUEL 7:7-13

GALATIANS 4:4-7

31ST WATCH NIGHT REFLECTION

LUKE 11:5-13

The theme for our watch night service is Ebenezer. Ebenezer is a Hebrew word which means the “stone of help” “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12) Ebenezer, therefore, is a commemoration or an acknowledgement of God’s divine providence in our lives. Today is December 31, 2022, and we have gathered to commemorate, acknowledge and praise God for being our helper till now. This is the meaning of Ebenezar. Ebenezar is marked with a monumental gathering or event to celebrate God’s awesomeness and glory in our lives. Dear friend, why are we observing a gathering of Ebenezer on this special day, the last day of the year 2022? We shall find the answers in the Scripture readings which shall discuss under the following points:

1. Ebenezer because Jesus saved us and we have become heirs to the Kingdom of God!
2. Ebenezer because God has protected us from our enemies throughout the year!
3. Ebenezer because He has provided our basic necessities or needs!

First, we celebrate the last day of the year as a day of Ebenezar because when we look back, Jesus is the reason for the season and celebration. His salvation has made us sons and daughters of God and today we can also call on God and truly experience Ebenezer (“the continuous help of God). He has redeemed us from sin and for that matter, we have become the product of God’s grace and love through our divine inheritance. Without His Salvation we cannot experience Ebenezer, it is for this reason Paul wrote that “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:6-7). We are an heir to His Kindom therefore we have access to His physical and spiritual blessings.

Secondly, if through salvation in Christ we have been redeemed from sin and become beneficiaries of God’s mercy and grace for which we continually experience His divine presence and help in our lives then it is worth noting that we have also experienced Ebenezer through God’s protection and victory over our enemies. throughout the year. This is what happened in the life of the Israelites when they repented and shunned idol worship. The Lord listened to their prayers and gave them victory over their enemy, the Philistines. Ebenezer! “Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.” So they gathered at 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 people of Israel at Mizpah. Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. And Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:5-12) When God reigns in our hearts and we dedicate our lives to Him entirely by worshipping Him as our creator and sustainer of life, we continually experience His glory or presence in our lives, and our enemies are defeated. From January to December do you know how many people have prayed against your progress and development? Do know how your enemies have worked tirelessly to see you fail in life? Do you know how many people at your workplace, in your business and even in your family wish you were even dead? Do you have any idea how some people have even tried through spiritual means to cripple your business and cause you to become bedridden? Ebenezer, the Lord has given you victory and this is how far He has brought you and your family. He promises to be with you in the New Year and beyond so long as you remain faithful to Him by worshipping Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30)

Third, we have not only experienced Ebenezer through the Lord’s salvation and divine protection and victory over enemies but we have also experienced Ebenezer through His divine providence of our basic needs and necessities. Have you taken time to reflect on God’s providence for you and your family, especially at times when prices of Goods and services have escalated astronomically as a result of weak economic structures and external factors? Ebenezer, the has been our help till now!, we cannot complain! He has provided us with our daily bread (food) water to quench our thirst, cloth to keep us warm, an abode to lay our heads and keep us safe and money to pay for goods and services. Truly, Jesus’ assurance guarantees us of Ebenezer when He said, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13) . Indeed, this is how far how heavenly Father has helped us and He will continue to take care of us as long as we remain His faithful children.

In summary, we have done reflection on the theme, Ebenezer, and we have truly come to the conclusion that “till now the Lord has been our helper” In Which ways has He helped us? He saved us from sin and made us an heir to His Kingdom for which we are now beneficiaries of His grace. The Lord has protected us and given us victory over our enemies and last but not least, He has and continues to provide us with the basic necessities of life which we need for our survival on earth. May the Holy Spirit continue to be with us even as we offer our bodies as living sacrifices and thanksgiving offerings to commemorate Ebenezer and the glory of God in our lives. Amen.