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PUBLISHED ON September 13, 2022
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10 Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and drove them back as far as below Beth Car. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 1Samuel 7: 10-13 NKJV

What you recognize is what you’ll praise and appreciate, your appreciation is tied to what you recognize and attach value to. The saving grace of God and His help upon Samuel and the children of Israel is what made Samuel to call God the evergreen name ‘Ebenezer’ meaning thus far has the LORD helped us. People who don’t take the acts of God for granted are those who experience His peace the most. No matter your level now, God has helped you and He’ll continue to show you help if you start recognizing His help in areas where you feel you’ve not being helped enough. There’s always something to be grateful for but when our value for those things do not yet command our appreciation we tend to hold back praise. It doesn’t have to be exactly the way we want it all the time before we show how grateful we are. Even when you feel you didn’t notice the involvement of God and can’t even trace Him, recognize Him the most in moments like that, because it’s in recognition that you’ll find peace. The truth is even when you can’t see Him; the LORD is there. Don’t feel entitled to His help, thank Him for the one you’re receiving and you’ll definitely receive more. God confused the Philistines and helped the men of Israel to pursue and drive them back to a place where they will no longer come out to disturb them. Samuel recognized the role of God and was grateful, his appreciation made God to keep the Philistines in their territory and they didn’t come out again to trouble Israel all the days of Samuel. Anytime you thank God, you are securing your stay and advancing your cause in regards to what you’re thanking Him for.

Today’s thought: “Recognition makes appreciation easy and noticeable.”

Keynote: Don’t be too concerned with negativities that you’ll forget to highlight the positivity’s.

Counsel: Think of the Lord’s help and you’ll experience it. Depend on Him and you’ll never be left alone all by yourself.

Prayer: LORD, I thank You for Your help to me in the past and I acknowledge Your help now. I ask of You, my heavenly father that You lead me in the ways of right and let me see Your help every moment of my life in Jesus name I pray. Amen!