What is an Ebenezer?
Hymns, more often that not, are constructed with wonderfully written lyrics that portray the many attributes of God. They help us focus on God’s glory and explain many theological truths in ways that are not often heard these days. Every once in a while there will be a word or phrase that we sing that is foreign to our modern vocabulary. In the hymn “Come thou Fount of Every Blessing”, Robert Robinson explains the gospel very clearly. He says that we are a people “prone to wander”, but as a persevering Christ follower we should daily say “here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.” Now these might not be the words you choose to pray on a daily basis, but I know when I hear these lyrics it sends a chill down my spine. That fact that God knows how sinful I am but still allows me to say “here’s my heart Lord” is an amazing truth that is profoundly communicated by this hymn.
Every once in a while a solid theological hymn will use a word so foreign that it might be a distraction for us in worship. The word Ebenezer used in “Come thou fount of every Blessing” is one of those words. The song proclaims, “here I raise my ebenezer, hither by thy help I come”, which bring forth the question; why are we picking up Scrooge? The word Ebenezer has a much greater theological meaning but unless we dig deep it might come off as weird or comical in a hymn used for worship. Literally speaking an Ebenezer is a “stone of help” that reminded the Israelites of God’s real, holy presence and divine aid. So what is your Ebenezer? Where were you this week when God showed up and helped you in a time of need? When was the last time you thanked him for the undeserved aid that he gives you?
As we sing the hymn “Come thou Fount of Every Blessing” this Sunday, I hope the word Ebenezer creates for you an awareness of the Lord’s presence and the power of His gospel!
Ben
