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Hear Am I, Send Me: Understanding the Call of God Part 02




Isaiah 6:8 (KJV): Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Matthew 22:14 (KJV) For many are called, but few are chosen.

In Part 01, we learned that the ‘call of God’ can be personal and universal. It is also means spiritual responsibilities. In Part 02, we will see that the commitment and responsibilities of God’s call also bring privileges and blessings.

The Call of God Has Privileges

Here is the justice of God: those who obey the call, pay the price, and do so with a whole heart, are appointed to great reward. There is the promise of abundant life in Christ (John 10:10ff). This author is thoroughly convinced that the most effective, adventurous, joyful, fruitful and fulfilled life, is the one that is lived for God. Even those persons who enjoy worldly fame, acclaim, riches, and longevity, cannot be compared to the life lived to the full for God. Furthermore, the worldly achievements last, at best, only for a time; for the chosen of God their fruit lasts for all time, even eternity.

Those who are called of God and give up precious things in order to fulfil the call are promised bountifully reward in this life. By the grace of God, we can see 100-fold fruitfulness. You can never go bankrupt giving to the Lord; indeed, you cannot out-give Him at all, because what you surrender to Him will be multiplied many fold.

The Privilege of Survival

In this challenging, changing world, survival and success are great blessings. Yet they are not found by merely ‘playing it safe.’ We have to step out in faith, rather than staying with the familiar and comfortable. Today’s territory becomes tomorrow’s trap. Remember the story of the 6 or 7 Americans, who evaded capture by the Iranians during the US hostage crisis of 1979-1981. Their refuge was the Canadian ambassador’s residence in Tehran. There they were fed, housed, and seemingly safe. Yet, in time, their whereabouts were discovered and the ambassador’s residence was raided. Had they not accepted ‘the call’ to take a way of escape out of the country, they would have been entered into captivity with the other American hostages, or even something worse.

One of my favourite metaphors is that of the sinking of the ocean liner Titanic in April 1912. This legendary tragedy has become a parable of our times. The biggest ship of its day, designed to be ‘unsinkable,’ ended up on the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean after only 4 days on its maiden voyage. Over 1,500 people perished and only 700 survived. The unsinkable ship sank less than three hours after hitting an iceberg. Had the people stayed with what was ‘familiar - rich stayed in their plush rooms, the diners in the dining room, or the loungers in the deck chairs -they surely would have quickly perished. But for those who accepted ‘the call’ to get into the life-boats - not every person did) - they were saved from drowning. Sure, the life-boats were small, cramped, and uncomfortable, compared to the luxury ocean liner, but those who obeyed the call made it safely to their destination, New York.

In Scripture, Noah’s ark, Lot’s flight from Sodom, Isaac’s Rehoboth, Joseph’s storehouse, David’s Cave of Adullam, and many other such incidents, show that the called have a place of refuge from all the storms of life. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus highly commends those who ‘hear and obey’ His words. He calls them wise people who build their house on the rock. When … not if … the rains descend, the floods rise, and the winds beat on the house, they have nothing to fear. The house will still be standing, no matter what, because it is built on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25).

TO BE CONTINUED





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