When Despair Leads us to God

16 MAY

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. Joel 2:32

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Matthew 11:25-30

God wants us to call on Him, not only in prosperity but also in an extreme state of despair. It is as if God calls the dead to Himself, declaring that He has the power to restore life to them and bring them out of the grave.

Since God invites the lost and the dead to come to Him, there is no reason why even the heaviest distresses should prevent access to Him for us or for our prayers, for by faith we ought to break through all these obstacles. The more grievous our troubles, the more confidence we ought to have, for God offers grace not only to the miserable but also to those in utter despair. The prophet did not threaten general evil to the Jews but declared that, before the coming of Christ, all things would be full of horror (verse 31). After this denunciation the prophet adds: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered.

Paul cites Joel's prophecy in Romans 10 and extends it to the Gentiles, so let us examine how he interprets the testimony of Joel. Paul uses these words of the prophet to prove that, since adoption is extended to the Gentiles, it is lawful for them to flee to God and to familiarly invoke Him as Father. He hence proves that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, since invocation arises from faith; for unless God shines on us by His Word, we cannot come to Him. Faith, then, is always the mother of prayer.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

There is no situation so grave, no sin so black, that negates our invitation to repent and call on the name of the Lord and be saved. God delights in saving those who cannot save themselves. Do not doubt His power and willingness to save you when you find yourself condemning the horrendousness of your sin. Take it to Him and humbly ask for His forgiveness.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke