“…and those that are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14

The Call of God

Walk His Way Revisited
First Posted in 2014

This phrase, “called, chosen, and faithful,” haunted me as I considered the ones who would accompany Jesus in His Revelation triumph against evil. What does it mean to be called, chosen, and faithful? What are the marks of those who will be beside Him in that Day? The first attribute listed is of those who have answered a call.

I first heard the call of God as a child at a Blackwood Brothers concert at the Akron Baptist Temple so very long ago. The music stirred me. The beauty and sweetness of melody touched something deep within. As the preacher briefly spoke, I became aware that I needed to respond to this God the quartet had been singing about. I was too shy to go forward during the traditional Baptist altar call, but I felt an insistent nudge to come, to pray, to make my personal declaration. My mother later accompanied me to a pastor’s office where I first received, from the One who called me an, assurance of forgiveness and an outpouring of love. I felt clean, loved and intensely happy. I knew little of doctrine or the tenets of my faith. I knew little of the wisdom and truth of the Bible. But I had clearly heard the call, and I had responded.

The very One who created us made us for Himself, and He initiated the call. His call is to each one of us; no one is overlooked. He died in order to ensure that we might hear His call. The call has gone out.

The word call occurs 700 times in the Old and New Testament. It denotes identity, character, summons, purpose, destiny, inheritance and relationship. So it is used in a variety of ways in differing situations to both individuals and nations.

2 Peter 5:9 declares plainly: “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” John 3:16 echoes the familiar words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God speaks to us in a voice like no other. It is sometimes loud through pain or crisis or sorrow. Sometimes it is small and quiet. He speaks to us who are a great distance from His heart to come to Him, to draw near, to find hope, healing, and salvation in Him. No one is beyond His call. He knows our name. He is intimate with us—knowing our ways, our thoughts. He sees every sin, every iniquity, the shame of things we have done. He is not shocked or disgusted. He calls us to Himself. He calls us to something higher and longs for us to grow up into the women He created us to be and not the fallen, broken creaturet we have become. The call has gone out.

This call demands a response. God calls to man. Man must call upon God in response. The phrase “call upon the name of the Lord” appears for the first time in Genesis 4:26 and continues throughout scripture. Love must have choice. Love must be willing, freely responding to the call of God.

2 Peter 1:10 says, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure.”

Revelation 22:17 is our invitation. “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Come. Answer the call.

Father, thank You that You pursued us, wooed us, and won us. As we have answered Your call to salvation and life, may we continue to respond to Your call for servanthood, for prayer, for bold obedience to this glorious faith. We love Your Word imparted to our hearts, Your voice within our spirits, Your whisper in our ear. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.