When Calling Means More Than Just Speaking
Calling on God is more than saying the right words; it is to reach out to God in trust and surrender.
About a year ago I bought a second-hand pickup truck. I needed transport from home to work but did not want to spend a lot of money on a fancy and expensive car. Just something to commute. The idea was to fix it as time goes by. So, especially just after I bought it, it happened a few times that I had to stop next to the road. That is not a nice experience because now you are dependent on the goodwill of others for help. Deep inside me I was calling on the Lord that someone would stop and help me. And every time He did.
Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” I thought about those times and how desperate you feel when something bad happens to you. But what does “calls” really mean here? Is it just saying God’s name, like reciting a prayer or repeating certain words? Or is there something deeper in those words?
The original word Paul quotes in this verse comes from the Hebrew word qara’. It’s a word packed with meaning. Yes, it means to speak or to call, but it’s much more than that. It’s the kind of crying out someone does when they’re desperate for help. It’s an invitation, a reaching out, and a declaration of trust and relationship.
When the Bible says, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord,” it’s not talking about repeating a magic formula. It’s talking about people who cry out to God because they know who He is, and they trust Him enough to ask for help. It’s the difference between saying someone’s name in passing and calling them because you believe they’re your only hope.
When Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on water and started to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” That’s what calling really means. It’s immediate, heartfelt, and filled with trust that Jesus can save him.
Romans 10:13 is a promise for us that when we reach out to God, he will help us, even when standing next to the road with a broken car. It’s not about perfect words but about trusting God enough to call on Him when we know we can’t save ourselves. And the beautiful part is this: everyone who calls on Him will be saved.
So, if you’ve ever wondered if God would listen to you, remember this truth. He doesn’t just hear your voice; He hears your heart when you call. And He’s promised that whoever calls, He will save.