What's in a Name?နမူနာ

Calling upon the name of the Lord

After the book of Genesis records how Adam and Eve were created and disobeyed God, we read about their descendants. Sadly enough, their first son turned out to be a murderer of his own brother, and his descendants didn’t live according to God’s standards either. But Adam and Eve had another son, and his descendants “began to call upon the name of the Lord”.

This phrase is repeated often in the Bible. It has to do with public worship and with earnestly seeking the Lord God. People who call upon the name of the Lord, acknowledge Him as their King and proclaim his name among the peoples (see Isaiah 12:4). The prophet Zechariah uses this phrase to describe the restored relationship between God and his people:

“They will call upon my name,

and I will answer them.

I will say, ‘They are my people’;

and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” (Zechariah 13:9)

Calling upon the name of the Lord is also connected with asking for his help. God promises: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15)

Do you “call upon the name of the Lord”, both in times of trouble and in times of joy?