Ebenezer

"Ebenezer had been a place of defeat and shame. The godless Philistines had killed 34,000 men here – and taken the ark of God. Israel had followed after idols.

Israel needed revival. They cried out unto the Lord. On the same battlefield they faced the same enemy. Samuel gave worship and sacrifice. Samuel set up Ebenezer as a sign, a marker. An altar of worship.

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us"". Samuel was acknowledging the help of God. It was a time of praise. Of thankfulness. The people got right with God.

Ebenezer had been the place of shame – of sin – of dreadful failure. Hophni and Phineas, the priests of the Lord, were slain. The ark was taken. The glory had departed.

Ebenezer had been the place of disobedience. Now it was a time of rededication. The Lord can replace our shame and defeat with forgiveness and victory and praise.

Samuel urged the people to repentance and restoration... 1 Samuel 7:3 …If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods …and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

IF we take spiritual action it says: He will deliver us... Return unto the Lord!
Ebenezer was the place of revival. It was where the lamb was slain... The enemy was about to attack, but Samuel took time to worship, to sacrifice, to pray, to bring the lamb... 1 Samuel 7:9-10 …Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. (10) And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them...