Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jer.33:3
This verse came racing to my mind yesterday as I listened to a young boy call to his mom. “MOM!” It was a focused confident call. He was absolutely convinced that she would hear him and answer. He had NO thoughts like “I wonder if she will hear me or I wonder if this is a good time”. It did not matter. He had a question, and it needed answering - now.
I wondered what my prayers sound like when I approach my Father who I know loves me. Am I so confident He will answer me? Will He hear my urgent call?
This invitation to call to God in Jeremiah 33:3 is given as the Babylonians are attacking the city and the people of God were facing capture and who knows what. Fear was rife in the people of God that day. It is in this context this invitation is given to God’s people.
When we are gripped by fear because of situations we cannot control and an uncertain future, God says to us, “Call to me” and the promise is that He will answer. Even as God’s people were led into 70 years of captivity - that promise stood firm. The promise is particularly attractive because, in their case, nobody would believe that there are great and unsearchable things ahead for them – all they see is war and certain captivity. In such cases, we have nowhere else to go but to call out to God because everything that is on the horizon looks so bleak. Only He can see past the dismal present into a desirable future. We’re not given that ability – but He will share it with us if we call to Him.
The way may seem long and hard. We desperately need His perspective or we wither under the weight of the trial. I have seen how He has shown me things in dark places that I could not know otherwise, but have greatly strengthened my faith and filled me with hope, though the situation I sat in remained unchanged for a long time. This is one way that God strengthens our faith. When we call to Him He will show us great and unsearchable things that we definitely do not know. We then live out of those promises and pictures He shows us. We know that God is cognizant of our situation. What is not so certain is whether we will actually call out to Him in our situation.
This young boy could call confidently to his mom and know that she would answer him. She always does, even if the answer is different from what he is expecting. He does not have the expectation that her answer is predictable. He does know though she will answer him because she loves him.
God hears you friend as you call to Him. He promises He will answer. Don’t give up.
Dear Father,
Thank You for hearing me when I call and for the promise that You will answer me. Father, I am in need of some answers today. Show me what I cannot see, that I might be full of hope. Speak to me Father, I need to hear from You.
In Jesus Name,
Amen