Call On Me

Philosophy View of Call on Me

To ask someone in a formal way to do something

Biblical View of Call on Me

In the Book of Psalm 91:15 tells us that we should call unto God, and He will answer us. This is an expression manifesting God’s favor and loving-kindness, that He was ready to comply with the first intimations of His servant’s desires.

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15 NIV

Those who acknowledge the Lord as their Saviour are those who call on His name. Calling on the name of the Lord is essential to spiritual life, whether it is done once for sin forgiveness or often as the connection develops and expands, giving Him sovereignty over our lives in submission to His will.  Ultimately, calling on the name of the Lord is a sign of humility and dependence on God, our Creator and Redeemer.

Calling on the name of the Lord is basic for salvation and presupposes faith in the Lord. God promises to save those who, in faith, call upon His name:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13KJV.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. Joel 2:32 KJV.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21KJV

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 NTL

Referencing someone by name conveys familiarity and strengthens interpersonal bonds. When we first meet someone, we always shake hands and introduce ourselves. This increases comfort levels for the next exchanges. To invoke the name of the Lord is to acknowledge and establish a relationship with Him. Knowing God intellectually and knowing Him intimately are two different things. Invoking the name of the Lord denotes a personal conversation and bond. When we call upon the name of the Lord as a form of worship, we recognize our dependence upon Him. What saves a person is not the action, per se, of “calling upon” the name of Jesus; what saves is God’s grace in response to one’s personal faith in the Savior being called upon. Calling on the name of the Lord is more than a verbal expression; it is also shown in the heart and, indeed, through repentance.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10: NIV.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Acts 3:19 NIV.

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live

 Psalm 116:2 NIV

And call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me Psalm 50:15 NIV.

God promises to bless the person who “dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). "The LORD declares, 'Because he loves us, I will save him; I will guard him, for he knows my name.' He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him (vs14-15). Scripture also depicts those who refuse to use the name of the Lord, and it outlines the consequences of their defiance: "Will the perpetrators of wickedness never acquire knowledge?" They refuse to invoke the LORD. They are standing there, filled with intense terror, even though there is no need to be afraid.

The phrase "Call on Me" appears often in the Bible, signifying a supernatural invitation for Christians to seek God's guidance, support, and presence. This study examines the nuanced meaning of the call to seek God by examining instances in which individuals prayed to God seriously on a personal, communal, and governmental level. It is based on the rich tapestry of biblical tales. Both the Old and New Testaments demonstrate how calling on God can be a powerful and transformative act of faith, highlighting the biblical theme's continued relevance for Christians today.

Views from the Old Testament:

The idea of calling on God is deeply embedded into Israel's relationship with the divine in the Old Testament. The statement "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” according to the book of Psalm 145:18 ESV. This passage captures the spirit of really and authentically seeking God's presence.

The story of Moses at the burning bush is a moving illustration of reaching out to God. Moses was given a heavenly command to lead the Israelites out of Egypt as he approached the burning bush. Moses sought clarification and direction in answer to God's summons, saying the famous phrase, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11 ESV). God's answer highlights how important it is to approach Him for guidance and support when faced with difficult responsibilities.

Solomon's story is another interesting one found in the Old Testament. In 2nd Chronicles 1:7–12 (ESV), the recently anointed King Solomon prays fervently at Gibeon, asking God to grant him wisdom to rule God's people. His modest request, "Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?" 2nd Chronicles 1:10 (ESV) is a good example of asking God for wisdom via prayer.

There are many examples of calling on God in the Psalms, which are a collection of passionate expressions of faith. Psalm 17:1 (NIV) Prayer of David. Hear me, LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips. The Psalms demonstrate the psalmists' profound dependence on turning to God in times of hardship, joy, confusion, and gratitude. They also illustrate a wide range of human emotions and experiences.

Calls from the prophets

The Old Testament prophets often acted as go-betweens, communicating words of caution, inspiration, and heavenly guidance to God's people. Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah often prayed to God for wisdom and insight as he carried out his difficult task. "Call to me, and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV) is how the prophet puts his trust in crying out to God. This passage echoes the promise that approaching God in prayer and calling on His name leads to revelation and insight that is beyond our capacity for comprehension.

Another well-known prophet who highlights the transformational effect of calling on God is Isaiah. In Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV), he says, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" This verse emphasizes the need and grace involved in pleading with God for forgiveness and healing.

Views from the New Testament

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles are replete with references to calling on God; this concept is not limited to the Old Testament. In what is often referred to be the Lord's Prayer, Jesus himself offers an example of how Christians should pray. They should address God as their Father, acknowledging His righteousness, pursuing His will, and pleading for daily sustenance and pardon Matthew 6:9–13 (ESV).

Jesus calls out to everyone who is tired and burdened in the Gospel of Matthew, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28, (ESV). This invitation highlights the loving aspect of God's response to people who call on Him, echoing the Old Testament idea of seeking God in times of sorrow.

In his epistle writings to early Christian communities, the apostle Paul emphasizes the need to pray to God. According to Romans 10:12–13 (ESV), "Because the same Lord is Lord of everyone, giving his riches to everyone who calls on him, there is no difference between Jew and Greek. For "salvation is available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord.” This proclamation emphasizes how calling on God is open to all people, regardless of their culture or ethnicity.

James's Epistle provides helpful guidance on the effectiveness of prayer. In order to be cured, Christians are urged by James 5:16 to (ESV) "confess your sins to one another and pray for one another." A decent person's prayer has tremendous power since it is effective. This text emphasizes how effective it is to pray to God for both individual needs and the general welfare of the church of Christ.

Individual and Group Aspects

The biblical exhortation to seek God in prayer and in His name has implications for both the individual and the group. People are urged to have a close connection with God and to seek Him out during happy and unhappy moments, as well as while making decisions. The biblical story also emphasizes the need for group prayers and intercession, in which Christians come together to ask God to meet the needs of the globe and the larger community. We may see hints of the early Christian community's dedication to unitedly calling on God in the Acts of the Apostles. According to Acts 2:42, the apostles' teaching, company, sharing of bread, and prayer were all very important to the believers. This concept that calling on God is not just an individual endeavor, but also a community manifestation of faith and reliance on the Almighty is reflected in this communal dedication to prayer.

Conclusion

Throughout the biblical story, the phrase "Call on Me" resounds and invites Christians to a transformational and personal connection with the Creator. The act of calling on God is represented as a dynamic and crucial part of the believer's journey from the teachings of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament to the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament.

The Bible demonstrates that praying to God is an active act of dependency, humility, and trust rather than a passive one. It is an admission of our continual need on heavenly insight, direction, and intervention due to our limitations as human beings. Scripture contains promises that reassure  Christians that God hears and responds to the earnest prayers of His people.

The biblical exhortation to seek God via prayer is still a timeless and applicable source of consolation, change, and strength for Christians as they traverse the complexity of life. The call to "Call on Me" reverberates throughout the holy text, providing a beacon of hope and reassurance that the God who hears and answers prayer is ever-present and steadfast in His love for His people—whether in times of joy, grief, perplexity, or decision-making.

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