Call Upon the Name of the Lord For the first time, it is mentioned in Genesis 4:26 “And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.” Here, to call on the name of the Lord means that people began to gather for worship and seek the help of the Creator. At the same time, the world was becoming more and more wicked and Seth’s descendants stood out from their corrupt society in that they began to call on the name of the Lord. 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. Those who are children of God will naturally call on the name of the Lord. Calling on the name of the Lord is basic for salvation and presupposes faith in the Lord. God promises to save those who, in faith, call upon His name: Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Joel 2:32 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered:” 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 Him 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 in Him as our Creator our dependence upon Him as God. When we call on the name of the Lord in times of trouble or in times of quietude, we are cementing a long-term relationship with Him. When this happens, the Lord promises in Psalms 91:14-15 “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.” Calling on the name of the Lord is more than just a verbal expression; it is also shown and reflected in the heart and in deed through humble repentance. Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” The Scriptures also tell us about those who do not call upon the name of the Lord. Psalms 14:4-5 “Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. 5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.” This however does not mean that the doors of God are closed for them. Even as rebellious or ignorant people neglect to call upon the name of the Lord, He is willing to hear them and accept them. Isaiah 65:1 “I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.” God wants to be found; He is ready to be known: “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that was not called by my name” Isaiah 55:6 “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” Dr Ashwin Drummond Laddertoheaven.co.in