1 Samuel 7:3-17: "Ebenezer"

Let's go.

So I want to start off just by talking about memory for a second.

Memory is one of God's greatest gifts to us as humans.

We all have memories that when we think of them bring us immediate joy or even might cause us to laugh, hopefully not just cringe.

Our memories shape who we are because we have learned from our experiences and we've learned from the relationships that the Lord has given and brought into our lives.

But what happens when memory fails us? All of us know someone who has or has suffered from Alzheimer's or dementia.

Earlier this year in January, my grandmother passed away from dementia.

And at first she was just forgetful.

She would forget that she had called someone or forget something small when she went to leave the house.

But she started to forget how to get home when she was out by herself.

And then as things progressed, she started to forget people, starting with those who had most recently come into her life and eventually forgetting everyone, including her own family.

At the end of her life, before she passed, she had forgotten how to dress herself, use the bathroom, and do other basic functions.

What I saw and what you have seen, if you have a family member or friend or know someone who has suffered or died from dementia or Alzheimer's, is that a lack of memory makes us vulnerable.

It's even worse with a spiritual forgetfulness.

It leaves us spiritually vulnerable.

When we forget or are unaware of God's character and work, we become easily discouraged.

We are quickly filled with fear and we become susceptible to the sin of idolatry as we try by human means to solve problems of discouragement, fear, trial, or to fight temptation that has worked its way into our lives.

As we enter 1 Samuel chapter 7, Israel is in this place of spiritual vulnerability born out of a spiritual forgetfulness.

They have experienced judgment because they have forgotten God's character and His faithfulness.

They have failed generation after generation to teach God's character, statutes, and works to their children.

But God is changing all of that.

He has cleared the previous and corrupt priesthood.

He has shown Israel their hopelessness in battle apart from him.

And now God is going to work to change his people's heart from the inside out.

In 1 Samuel chapter 7, the Lord is going to make himself known to Israel by granting them repentance, providing for them deliverance, that if held on to, would continually restore their souls.

So our main point this morning, if I turn it on, it would help.

is this, remember the Lord's help for he is the God who grants repentance, provides a righteous intercessor, and continually restores his people.

And so our first point in verses 3 through 6, God grants repentance.

Our second point in verses 7 through 11, God provides a righteous intercessor.

And finally in 12 through 17, God continually restores his people.