Topic: Call Upon God in Truth

Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”

Honesty in Our Call to God

As we reflect on Psalm 145:18, we find ourselves drawn to the heart of the matter. The Psalmist doesn't just say that the Lord is near to all who call on Him. He adds a crucial qualifier: "to all who call on Him in truth." This is not a casual or careless call. It's a call that comes from a place of honesty, sincerity and authenticity.

The nature of this honesty: When we call on God in truth, we are not putting on a show or trying to impress Him. We are coming to Him as we are, with all our flaws and failings, all our hopes and fears. We are not trying to hide anything from Him, because we know that He sees us as we truly are. We are being honest with Him, and in doing so, we are being honest with ourselves. This honesty is not just about confessing our sins, although that is certainly part of it. It's also about acknowledging our needs, our desires, our dreams, our doubts. It's about admitting when we're scared, when we're confused, when we're hurting. It's about being real with God.

Its consistency: When we call on God in truth, we are not just doing it once in a while, when we feel like it or when we're in a bind. We do it consistently, regularly, as part of our daily walk with Him. It's not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey, a daily discipline. This consistency is not just about quantity, but also about quality. It's not just about how often we call on God, but how we call on Him. It's about the sincerity of our call, the authenticity of our dialogue, the depth of our communion. It's about making our call to God a priority, a non-negotiable part of our lives.

We are challenged to examine our own hearts: Are we being honest with God, or are we trying to hide something from Him? Are we going deep in our dialogue with Him, or are we just scratching the surface? Are we calling on Him consistently, or only when we feel like it or when we're in a bind? Are we calling on Him in a way that is sincere, genuine and reliable? Are we calling on Him in a way that reflects the depth and consistency of our relationship with Him?

Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century Carmelite monk, wrote, "We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed." This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of actively seeking God's presence. It's not about grand gestures or monumental acts of faith. It's about the little things, the daily acts of love and devotion that bring us closer to God.

See you Sunday,

Dr. Scott Kallem