My Ebenezer - My Stone of Help

"May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!" Ephesians 3:17-19 Amplified

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My father worked very hard. He rose early and was on his feet most of the day. In the evenings his time was filled by his "social secretary" (my mother), so his evenings were usually full and he rarely got in bed in time to give him sufficient rest. Naturally, he had little time to sit and watch television-or even "sit" for that matter.

On those infrequent occasions when he would join any of us in the den to relax he would usually fall asleep soon after sitting down. Upon hearing his snoring, I remember thinking, as a teenager, "Boy, it must be terrible getting old!" -- attributing his almost-immediate snoozing as being due to "advanced age."

Years later, I, too, became a dad. In the time since then I have had similar experiences from the "dad side"-as the one falling asleep soon after sitting still. Several years ago I had reason to think back to my teenage thoughts as I sat with my eyes closed in a comfortable chair in our den.

But I wasn't asleep-this time!

My children were much younger then-although not yet teenagers. It was a Saturday night and I was sitting in our den--not watching television but listening to the radio. I was listening to a recorded message by Charles Stanley, pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta. The subject was God's love for us. I don't remember the specific content or scriptures used, although the one I've used above was probably one of them.

When the program ended, I remained sitting there, thinking about what I had just heard. Then, still captured in the moment, I asked God a question.

"Father, do you really love me that much?"

Immediately, almost as an audible voice but, yet, deep inside me, I felt the Holy Spirit say, "This is how much."

If I had not been sitting I would have dropped on my back to the floor.

I was fully conscious; not in a "trance"; still aware of my surroundings. Life went on around me. The kids were playing and Chris was cleaning. In fact, this is when I thought back to my own adolescent memory of my dad, thinking, "Chris and the kids are probably thinking, "Well, old Dad has fallen asleep again." But I didn't care.

I knew all the time that I could end this moment anytime I wanted. But I wanted it to go on. I stopped thinking about external things. I surrendered my thoughts to God and basked in His attention.

There were no words exchanged. There was simply a feeling of overwhelming love too awesome for words. (Yes, I believe the word "awesome" is much-overused but this is definitely a time for its usage!) God quieted my lips in His presence, even silencing my words of praise for Him. His total emphasis was upon His love for me; not mine for Him.

"We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19 As I said, I wanted it to go on forever. I recognized, though, that it could not-at least at this depth (and "breadth", "length", and "height")! I would not have been able to function in the world if it had. I think of Moses:

"And he said, 'Please, show me Your glory.' Then He said, 'I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.' But He said, 'You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.'" Exodus 33:18-20 NKJV

Without knowing it, I had done something like Moses had done: asked God to show His glory. My request was innocent, simple, spontaneous, heartfelt, and genuine. God answered and took me by surprise.

And my life was changed forever.

I don't know how long the moment lasted. After some unknown period of time--probably a few minutes, it just seemed right for it to end. Whatever the period, the Lord satisfied me and I was ready to "join the world" again.

I haven't had another experience like this and probably won't-this side of heaven! (and THAT experience will be grander than any I could imagine in this life and my glorified body will be able to "take" it.) I know I wouldn't be able to "manufacture", another like this one, anyway. There is no magic formula.

Besides, this memory is still fresh and new in my spirit. Telling people about it does not diminish it. In fact, the feeling comes back fresh and alive whenever I do. When I relate this experience orally, it is often difficult to speak.

Now I can say with Paul, "For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 Amplified

I have read the Bible and listened to great Bible teaching over the years and all of that has helped me to grow in my relationship with my Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. However, this special (what an understatement!) moment with my Heavenly Father remains my "Ebenezer"-my "stone of help"; my reminder of God's presence and divine aid-on which I base my faith.

"Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means 'the stone of help'), for he said, 'Up to this point the Lord has helped us!'" 1 Samuel 7:12 NLT

William Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be shared freely as long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.everydaychristianity.com