Stand Up And Make A Declaration | 1 Samuel 7:12

Are you ready to make a declaration?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration."

For me, this chapter underscores the importance of personal commitments that are publicly declared to God.

In the early 1800s, a preacher named Charles Finney revolutionized the way we publicly declare our faith with what he dubbed the "Altar Call." This call, absent from many churches today, was an invitation to step forward in a service and. proclaim Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Influential figures like Billy Graham and ministries like Promise Keepers adopted it as a.

The narrative in 1 Samuel 7 will read and feel like this. It's an "Altar Call" given by Samuel to the entire nation of Israel. It's a monumental day in their history, with interesting details and occurrences that I will let unfold naturally. But at the conclusion of the day, Samuel sets up a monument. They stand up a stone to commemorate and remember the commitments that they have publicly made to God.

This leads us to the key verse of this chapter. 1 Samuel 7:12 reads:

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

Of course, some of you know this verse because it was popularized by a well-known Hymn, "Come Thou Fount." One of the verses sings:

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by thy help I’ve come;

This moment of this song recalls this moment in Israel's history. It's a song that calls us to reflect on a great day of repentance in Israel's history.

All believers need moments like this. We need standing-stone moments to remind us. There is nothing special about the markers or the monuments—all they are meant to do is remind us of the commitments and covenants we have made personally and publicly with God.

Today, look back on some of those moments when you stood up a stone in your relationship with God. Reflect on two questions. Where were you when you stood up a stone, and what change did you commit to make with God?

Share them in the comments below, and let's celebrate the Ebenezers we have stood up in our lives.

And if you are ready to make a declaration to God, you can take this moment to stand up a new stone.

#DailyDevo, #DeclareYourFaith, #StandUpForGod

Ask This:

1. When was the last time you publicly declared your faith in God, either through words or actions? How did that moment impact your relationship with Him?

    

2. Reflecting on your spiritual journey, what "stones" or markers can you identify where God has shown His faithfulness and helped you overcome challenges? How can these reminders encourage you to continue growing in your faith today?

Do This:

Share a standing stone moment below.

Pray This:

Father, thank you for moments of declaration and commitment in my journey with You. Help me to continually raise my Ebenezer, acknowledging Your faithfulness and seeking deeper intimacy with You each day. Amen.

Play This:

Come Thou Fount.