Okay- the title might sound desperate to some of you, but I will be honest and say that there are times when I need God urgently! This morning I was asking myself where we all got the notion that God sits on his throne waiting for us to call on him for help. I then looked into his word to see what is said about calling upon God. Here is my summary!
- Who can call upon God?
I believe that God hears all the petitions that people all over the world direct to him. However, there are some people to whose frequency his ear is always tuned to.
Psalms 37:23 “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (NLT)
Can you imagine having a friend who delights in every single detail of your life? Isn’t that the person you would always call for help? The verse above indicates that God is continually interested in the life of the godly person. Great motivation for us to be godly, right?
In the next verse, we note that God refers to godly individuals as his people.
Psalm 34:17 “The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues him from all their troubles.” (NLT)
God’s people have direct access to his ‘hotline.’ I am so thankful that I get to use this hotline whenever I need to, with no strings attached.
- Why call upon God?
The quick answer to this question is – who else is there to call upon? Well, the truth is, we Christians have become so self-sufficient that there is always someone else to call on or another way of getting out of a tight situation. When in trouble, however, our first port of call should be God.
Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.” (NLT)
If you are walking closely with God, your relationship should be such that when you shed a tear, he is there to wipe it. Why look way beyond your immediate surroundings for help, when the Lord is right there?
Psalm 116:2 “Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” (NIV)
- How do I call on God?
When you call your bank’s customer care line, do you believe that the person at the other end of the line will assist you? When you walk into a hospital, do you have faith that the doctor there will treat you, and you will get better?
Apply the same thinking to a situation when you call upon God for help. You must believe that he is willing and able to help you.
Hebrews 11:6 “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” (NLT)
Calling upon God requires sincere faith. You must believe that God loves you and will answer your prayer according to his will. Be prepared to receive whatever answer he gives you.
- When do I call upon God?
Call upon him all the time, if you need to! After all, you are his child, and just like a loving father, he is always there to help you out.
Psalm 50:15 “Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”(NLT)
Psalm 120:1 “I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.” (NLT)
Dear friend, call on God whenever you need him. He doesn’t get tired of your cries; rather he loves it when you acknowledge his greatness by calling upon him.
The following verse gives a fitting ending to this topic.
Psalm 57:2 “I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.” (NLT)
As you cry out to God today, remember that at the end of your trial lies the fulfillment of his purpose for your life. How exciting!