My Ebenezer.....

My mind has been like a tape player set on "loop."   Replaying over and over and over again the scenarios of what I would say if I had the chance.  To defend myself.  Against false accusations.

It's a battle I have fought using Scripture.  Written on spiral-bound 3x5 cards and read when the loop needed to be broken.  Truth to refute lies.  Over and over and over again.

But I was getting pretty worn.

Then last Friday I had a breakthrough.  It finally hit me that Jesus was falsely accused.  And He said nothing in response.  And that I, by being falsely accused, am sharing in His sufferings.  Perhaps for the first time, really.  Wow.

And the really cool thing is that while Jesus didn't defend Himself on earth, every time someone dies, they bow their knee to Him whether they did on earth or not.  They have to.  They are faced with the Truth and can't escape His holiness.

"So that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,

of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11. 

 Well, it occurred to me that the truth is something that all of us will be confronted with when we reach the other side.  Those of us who love Jesus and those who don't.  So whether my accuser and those who believe him are ever "enlightened" as to the truth here on earth, they most assuredly will be when they cross over and meet the Truth.  I need not worry about salvaging my reputation with them here.  Hard as that is.

And at that realization, peace (that passes all understanding) filled my heart, soul and mind.

And then, as if that weren't enough, something else really cool happened.  That night, some people very dear to me gave me a gift of something I have wanted for a long time.  And it was given because they were sorry for the stuff I've been going through relating to the false accusations.

It reminded me of a standing stone, like the one Samuel set up as a reminder that "Thus far, the Lord has helped me."  His Ebenezer. (1 Samuel 7:12)

So, this is my Ebenezer ~

a reminder that

Thus far the Lord has helped me....

to understand a little of the fellowship of his sufferings

and the need to keep on rejoicing that He has allowed me that privilege.

 "But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ,

keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory

you may rejoice with exultation." 

1 Peter 4:13

"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection

and the fellowship of His sufferings,

being conformed to His death;"

Philippians 3:10. 

P.S. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a clay pot which is an amazing piece of cookware.  Its first use will be to cook a turkey for those dear ones who gave it to me.  :-)