Dr. Rebekah McCloud
Momma had her own language. Sometimes she used words I had never heard before. I came to appreciate the beauty of her language. She often spoke in similes and metaphors and used alliterations and idioms. In her conversations, she quoted scriptures, lines from hymns and sometimes she just made sounds and utterances.
One time we went to the doctor and he asked her how she was doing. She just made a sound, “Oomph,” and pumped her fist. He said, “Tell me more about that. Can you describe it?” She said, I feel like a nasty rag.” He chuckled and said, “Mrs. McCloud, I’ve never heard it said that way, but I think I know what you mean.”
How often do we use grunts and groans and gestures to communicate in hopes that others will understand? How often do we use utterances? The dictionary says an utterance is a “spoken word, statement or vocal sound. It is the smallest unit of speech.” I submit to you that its size has nothing to do with its impact or its meaning. Most of us have some understanding of a situation when we hear someone utter “Oomph.”
But do we understand the significance of what it means to call on, to utter, the name of God the father, God the son or God the Holy Spirt? Or to call on, or utter, the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord? So many of those that we read about in the Bible, called on the Lord. Moses, David, Job, Esther, Hannah, Ruth, Paul, John and so on and so on called on the Lord. When my mother was in distress, she called on the name of Jesus. Do we know what it means to call on the Lord?
People use the name of the Lord so frivolously these days. OMG has become a part of popular culture. Even church folk use it in their conversations, correspondences, text messages and social media. According to wiseGEEK[1], “the phrase “OMG” acts as an acronym for the phrase “oh my God,” which is typically used as an exclamation to express surprise, alarm, or disgust.” Back to my original question: Do we know what it means to call on the Lord?
We should! There is power in the name of Jesus. There is healing in the name of Jesus. There is love in the name of Jesus. There is peace and hope and restoration and salvation in the name of Jesus. There’s no “surprise, alarm, or disgust.” Amen.
Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Psalm 18:6 says, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears.” When I was a kid, we used to sing a song that said, “Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want; call him up and tell him what you want.” Amen.
I read an article that said five amazing things happen when you call on the name of Jesus. [2]
First, you experience salvation in the Name of Jesus! Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Second, you enjoy healing in the Name of Jesus! James 5:14 says, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
Third, you have victory by the Name of Jesus! Deuteronomy 20:4 says, “For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
Fourth, protection is yours in the Name of Jesus! Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Fifth, favor is released to you in the Name of Jesus! 2 Corinthians 1:20
tells us that, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in
Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”My prayer is that I know that I know that I know what it means to call on the Lord. No OMG, no surprise, alarm, or
disgust! Instead, love,
peace, joy, favor, victory, healing, protection and salvation will be mine. Amen!
[1] OMG, Wisegeek (n.d.) https://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-omg-mean.htm#didyouknowout
[2]These 5 Amazing Things Happen When You Call On The Name Of Jesus. (December 2, 2017). https://blessingstrengthdominion.wordpress.com/2017/12/02/these-5-amazing-things-happen-when-you-call-on-the-name-of-jesus/