Focusing Leaders

Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the LORD spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. The men of Israel chased them from Mizpah to a place below Beth-car, slaughtering them all along the way. 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!”  So the Philistines were subdued and didn’t invade Israel again for some time. And throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the LORD’s powerful hand was raised against the Philistines.

God often acts supernaturally to confirm his chosen leaders in the eyes of his followers. Have you seen those kinds of signs and actions confirming your leadership?

Samuel makes another leadership act here, interpreting for the people what had happened, and giving them a concrete reminder of it.

Lord, please show yourself in my life in supernatural ways, and work through me to lead your people to greater trust and obedience and impact on the world.