CALL

Looking up the word “call” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary indicates the word may be used as a verb or a noun.

Within these categories for use the examples for “call” are extensive:

  • Call for help
  • Call for an investigation
  • Call of an animal
  • Call by telephone
  • Call to show hand in a card game
  • Call a square dance
  • Call to pay respects
  • Call out a number
  • Call the roll
  • Call a sport
  • Call to testify
  • Call to mind
  • Call to duty
  • Call a meeting
  • Call to wake up
  • Call for an offense
  • Call off
  • Call a spade a spade
  • Call for
  • Call it quits
  • Call names
  • And so on…😊

We will examine closely today two more examples not included above:

the transitive verb: “call on: defined as:1 : to call upon Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency?; and the noun form defined as :: a divine vocation or strong inner prompting to a particular course of action often referring to as being called or a calling.

Read Joel 2:32

ESV  Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.

Consider the phrase, “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD”.

What does it mean to call on the name of the Lord?

This phrase is best understood to refer to exclusive worship of the Lord. (See Ps 116:4; Prov. 18:10; Isa 44:5-8.)

What is worship?

One definition is to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power.

Synonyms for worship include: adore, deify, glorify, revere, reverence, and venerate.

As Christians, when we attend a “worship service” the objective is to collectively express these things through words, songs, and scriptural teachings.

Privately and throughout our daily activities with others we can continue to worship by reading scripture, other people’s writings about scripture, praying, and meditating or reflecting on the meaning and activities of the Lord in our world.

We also demonstrate our worship when we extend love and care for those around us.

This is a huge part of sharing one’s faith in the Lord even if we never mention the Lord’s name.

But it is especially sweet when the opportunity does present for sharing why we extend love and care to those around us.

Our loving and caring for others is not simply about doing good but is meant to be a way we demonstrate that we worship the Lord.

Read Joel 2:32 again:

ESV  Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.

Consider the following phrase, “whom the Lord calls”.

What is the meaning of “whom the Lord calls”?

“Whom the Lord calls” refers to all who respond in obedience to His Spirit. (See Gen 12:8; 13:4; Isa 51:2).

What is promised to all who call upon the name of the Lord and all whom the Lord calls?  

Rescue. Deliverance. Protection. Escape. Survival.

This is more than just deliverance from the devastation of the locusts, fires, and drought.

This is everlasting safety and assurance being promised to all who respond in obedience to the Lord of heaven and earth.

Read Romans 10:13:

ESV  Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Reflection questions:

  • Have you been obedient to the call of the Lord’s Spirit in your life?
  • How do you demonstrate your obedience to the Lord day to day?
  • Do those around you see the Lord’s Spirit working through you?
  • Is there anything you need to do differently so that others can see your obedience to the Lord?
  • How have others demonstrated their obedience to the Lord for you?
  • What else do you see in Joel 2:32 that encourages you or you do not understand?

My prayer for us today:

Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. (1Ch 16:35 ESV)

Blessings,

Barbara Lynn

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