After their sin in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve hid from God in reverent shame.
- Genesis 3:8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
When God command Pharaoh to ‘Let My people go’, he refused in arrogant ignorance.
- Exodus 5:2 And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.”
There are many possible reactions to God’s power and presence; His call and commands: fear, shame, arrogance, rebellion, obedience, joy, faithfulness, denial, pride, acceptance, humility, guilt, anger, peace, rejection …
Below are five examples of men from the Bible who were facing very different circumstances. When the time came, each of these men responded to God in the most appropriate way; trusting enthusiasm. If you take the time to read and understand the examples below in context, you may even ‘hear’ the excitement in each man’s voice as he responds to God’s call with a whole-hearted, ‘Here I am.’
Abraham’s Test
- Genesis 22:1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
- God was about to put Abraham through a very difficult test. This test was meant to show Abraham the reality of his faith and the faithfulness of his God. God told Abraham to sacrifice (kill) his son; the son that God had promised him. Then, right in the midst of this unimaginable test, to Abraham’s credit, he again responded promptly and correctly to another call from God.
- Isaac’s Deliverance
- Genesis 22:11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”
- God called just at the moment Abraham was going to slay Isaac. Abraham's attentiveness to God’s call saved his son’s life.
Jacob's Predicament
- Genesis 31:11 Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’
- Jacob had faithfully served his father-in-law for twenty years. And even though he had profited greatly from Jacob’s work, Laban began to resent how God was blessing Jacob. Jacob wasn’t sure what to do. When God called Jacob, he responded in faith and God told him exactly what he needed to do.
Moses’ Commissioning
- Exodus 3:4 So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”
- At the amazing sight of a bush that was burning but not consumed, Moses decided to take a closer look. As he approached this earthly manifestation of God’s glory, Moses had no idea how his life was about to change. But without hesitation, he responded to God’s summons.
Isaiah’s Call
- Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
- In the midst of a vision of God on His throne, Isaiah heard the Lord express the need for a prophet. Did Isaiah hide? Did he make excuses? Absolutely not! Isaiah responded to the need with readiness to serve.
Ananias’ Assignment
- Acts 9:10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
- Saul of Tarsus (later to be known as Paul) was left blind from his encounter with Christ on the road near Damascus. But he knew from a vision that a man named Ananias would be coming to heal him. Ananias, despite the trepidation caused by Saul’s reputation for persecuting Christians, did exactly what Jesus asked of him. Ananias overcame his fears with faith.
These men were excited to hear from God.
And when God called, they responded!
How do you respond to God’s call to pray, to serve, to get involved, to take responsibility, to step out in faith, to help someone in need, to love unconditionally, to face a dangerous or delicate situation?
Fear, uncertainty and lack of confidence in our own abilities are natural human responses to God’s call to action. Thankfully, when we are weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Focusing on ourselves leads us to say,
‘Who, me?’
It is our confidence in Him that allows us to say,
‘Here I am!’
Prayer
Holy, sovereign, all-powerful Father, I pray that confidence in You will allow everyone You call to respond in trusting enthusiasm. Your Word, Your Spirit, Your Promises and Your Will guarantee that all things work together for good to those who love You, to those who are the called according to Your purpose. Forgive our weaknesses. Forgive our hesitation. Thank You for Your enduring patience. I pray in the name above all names, Jesus. Amen.
