Calling on the Lord

Purpose of Calling on the Name of the Lord

To be saved

The first and primary reason to call on the Lord is to be saved (Romans 10:13). A simple, quiet prayer has genuinely saved many people. But if one is led to call on the Lord in a loud, audible way, their experience of salvation can be quite rich. We experience this rich salvation not only initially, but continually, even daily. (Psalms 88:9).

To breathe in the Lord

Lamentations 3:55-56 indicates that calling upon the name of the Lord is equivalent to our spiritual breathing. “I called upon Your Name, O Jehovah…do not hide Your ear at my breathing, at my cry.” Our physical breathing is incessant and necessary for sustaining our biological life. As we exhale, the negative element is released, while inhaling fresh oxygen is supplying our system. How much more is the spiritual breath needed to maintain our vitality with the Lord. This may really be the way the apostle Paul “unceasingly prayed” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

To drink the Lord

Isaiah 55:1, 6 says “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters…Seek Jehovah while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” These verses imply that our calling is to drink the Lord. Spiritually we get thirsty, calling is one way to quench that deep thirst. As we call upon Him and drink Him our sensation of the Lord’s presence grows stronger and stronger.

To stir up oneself to take hold of the Lord

When we feel down or depressed, Isaiah 64:7 says we can stir up ourselves to lay hold of the Lord. By calling upon His name we can hold on to His person and be lifted up.

To enjoy the riches of the Lord

Romans 10:12 says that the Lord is rich to all who call upon Him. We may know the Lord in an objective way but miss many subjective experiences of Him. Paul speaks of the “unsearchable riches of Christ” in Ephesians 3:8. Theses riches are accessed and applied to us when we call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.

To participate in the Lord’s mercy

Psalm 86:5 says “for You, O Lord, one ready to forgive and abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You. Often times we feel to be in an undeserving situation, as we call on the Lord we participate in His rich mercy.