Call ... He'll Answer (Psalm 20:9)

Today's scripture: Psalm 20:9

I know I’ve written about this before, but I have to write again … the Lord of the universe, the Sovereign Creator, the Alpha and Omega listens to us! And He answers us when we call out to Him!

Even though we so often fail Him, even though we let our focus drift from Him, He still lovingly hears our cries. He hears our prayers for intercession or healing or provision. And He always—always—answers.

A few days ago, I wrote how God answers prayers—yes, no, and wait. There’s never a time when He ignores us. There’s never a moment when He says, “I don’t think I’ll listen to [insert your name] today.”

It’s another mystery to think that God hears millions of voices simultaneously, but He does. And your voice is just as precious to Him as any other crying out to Him.

Call out to Him today, this very moment. Tell Him what’s on your heart. Lay it all at the foot of His throne. Know—beyond doubt—that He’s listening. Know—beyond doubt—that He’ll answer your call.

Names of God (1 Corinthians 12:1-3)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-3

Only those who have accepted the gift of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ can call Him “Lord.”

And He is our Lord. Our Adonai.

I love that God is called by many names in His word. I wrote about this a decade ago:

One of the things I love most about the Bible is that God is called by many names. What I love about that is that I can find God by name in each and every situation. If I’m in pain, I can find Him by name. If I have a need, I can find Him by name. If I’m experiencing tremendous joy, I can find Him by name. If I’m lonely, I can find Him by name. This is such a blessing to my heart, and I hope it blesses your heart as well. When you feel lonely, remember that God sees you and is there for you. You can find Him by calling El Roi: the God who sees (Genesis 16:13). When you have a need, remember that God will provide for you. You can find Him by calling Jehovah Jireh: the Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14). When you’re in pain, remember that you can find Jehovah Rophe: the God who heals (Exodus 15:26). When you’re frightened and unsure, remember that you can find the God who is your Refuge and your Strength (Psalm 46:1). When you’re feeling stressed or out of control, remember that God will calm your spirit. You can find Him by calling Jehovah Shalom: the Lord is peace (Judges 6:24). When you’re feeling unlovable and unloved, remember that you can find the God who is Love (1 John 4:16). When you’re surrounded by darkness, remember that you can find the God who is light, and “in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). I encourage you to find a good book on the names of God and of Jesus. As you seek God every day, you’ll find Him however you need Him. (The Best Laid Plans © 2005 Sauni Rinehart)

If you are a follower of Christ, you can call on your God … by whatever name your heart desires.

God Hears ... and Answers (Psalm 99:6-8)

Today's scripture: Psalm 99:6-8

Jehovah God never changes. He is the same as He was in the days of Moses, Aaron and Samuel. When they called upon Him, He answered them. He does the same today.

That’s what prayer is all about: Calling on God and listening to His answer.

Sometimes, though, we can get caught up in the calling and forget about the listening. Or am I the only one who does this?

I love to intercede for my friends and family. I love praying for their needs, for provision, for peace and comfort.

And doing this is a very good thing.

But all too often, I’m so busy doing that very good thing that I neglect to just sit quietly and listen to God’s voice. I wrote this in my book The Best Laid Plans:

The most important thing about listening for God’s voice is that, in order for Him to be heard, you must be silent. God doesn’t want to compete with the world’s noise, nor should He. We know God, we hear His voice, in the stillness, in the quiet. God tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). King David said with confidence that “the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him . . . Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still” (Psalm 4:3-4). (© 2005 Sauni Rinehart)

God promises to answer when we call out to Him.

Just as He did with Moses, Aaron, and Samuel.

Call On God By Name (Ps. 8:1)

O LORD, our Lord,
         How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
         Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
(Psalm 8:1, NKJV)

One of the things I love most about the Bible is that God is called by many names. What I love about that is that I can find God by name in each and every situation. If I’m in pain, I can find Him by name. If I have a need, I can find Him by name. If I’m experiencing tremendous joy, I can find Him by name. If I’m lonely, I can find Him by name. This is such a blessing to my heart, and I hope it blesses your heart as well. 

Let’s take a moment to look at how we can find God by name.

• When you feel lonely, remember that God sees you and is there for you. You can find Him by calling El Roi: the God who sees. (Genesis 16:13)
• When you have a need, remember that God will provide for you. You can find Him by calling Jehovah Jireh: the Lord will provide. (Genesis 22:14)
• When you’re in pain, remember that you can find Jehovah Rophe: the God who heals. (Exodus 15:26)
• When you’re frightened and unsure, remember that you can find the God who is your Refuge and your Strength. (Psalm 46:1)
• When you’re feeling stressed or out of control, remember that God will calm your spirit. You can find Him by calling Jehovah Shalom: the Lord is peace. (Judges 6:24)
• When you’re feeling unlovable and unloved, remember that you can find the God who is Love. (1 John 4:16)
• When you’re surrounded by darkness, remember that you can find the God who is light, and “in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) [Excerpted from The Best Laid Plans © 2005 by Sauni Rinehart]

No matter where you are, no matter what’s happening, you can call on God. By name.