I took a spill a few weeks ago.  Thank God no broken bones, just a few bruises and sore ankle. But that spill brought to mind how or when or why we call on the name of the Lord.  Do we call on Him only in time of trouble, like when we’re going down for the count, as one may say? Or, is it because we have disciplined ourselves in our prayer time, study time, our closeness to Him, that calling His name comes as natural as breathing?

We’re to develop the habit of calling on the Lord in the good times so that it is not just when we’re in trouble that we call His name. There’s a song that Lee Williams sings – “I Love to Call on the Name of Jesus. I Love to Call on the Name of the Lord”.  There’s power, healing, love, peace in the Name of the Lord.  All we need is to call Him and tell Him what’s in our heart.  Let Him know we’re grateful to Him for the good He’s allowing us to experience, as well as the bad that He can turn around for our good.

When Abram entered Canaan, he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord” (Genesis 12:8). In other words, Abram publicly thanked God, praised His name, and sought His protection and guidance.

To call upon the name of the Lord is a sign of knowing Him and a way of connecting to Him. There is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God personally. Calling on the name of the Lord indicates personal interaction and relationship. When we call upon the name of the Lord, as a form of worship, we recognize our need for Him.

To call on the name of the Lord is to approach Him in thanksgiving, worship, and petition, and in so doing proclaim the name of God.

The fourth chapter of Acts, the twelfth verse tells us to “call out to Him with a right heart”.

Those who call on the name of the Lord with a true heart are those who recognize Him as Savior. Calling on the name of the Lord is a sign of humility and dependence on God our Creator and Redeemer. Whether it is a first-time calling for forgiveness of sins, a continuous calling as our relationship grows, or giving Him lordship over our lives, it is all vital to our spiritual life.

Let us purpose in our hearts to call on the Name of Jesus, not only in troubling times, but in good times.  All the Time!

Heavenly Father, First I thank You that You’ve granted us the authority to call You, and You will hear and respond.  There is no other Name we can call on to be saved. Thank You for providing the way to eternal life through Your Son. Help us to be mindful that we need to call on Your Name in the good times, as well as the bad times.  There is power in that Name! At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that You are Lord. Praise Your Holy Name!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

In His Hands,

Deacon Rhet