Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)

One of the most profound promises in the Bible during times of crisis is Jeremiah 33:3. Some aptly refer to this verse as heaven’s 911—an emergency line to call when we are in distress. The Lord implores us to call to Him and reassures us of His favorable response when we do.

What does it mean to call unto God? We call upon God when we appeal to Him or request help. In essence, calling unto the Lord embodies praying and petitioning Him for assistance. This prayer of calling has distinct characteristics: it emerges in times of distress, requiring God’s answer to address an urgent need. Often, it’s accompanied by an outcry to God. For instance, in Psalms 142:1, the psalmist says, “with my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD.” (Psalm 142:1, ESV). There are moments in prayer when tears will stream from your eyes—those tears are precious to God.

As we make this heartfelt plea, the Lord gives us a powerful guarantee: if we call unto Him, He will answer. Nothing is as comforting as knowing that God will heed our prayers and listen to our petitions for help. In the New Testament, this promise is contextualized within the magnificent grace in Christ: 

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)

So, call unto the Lord, draw near to the throne of grace, and accept the grace you need in times of distress.

Meditate

What does calling unto the Lord, as described above, mean to you?

Apply the Word

Understand God’s promise in this verse and believe it with all your heart. It is your lifeline to receiving a response from heaven in times of distress. Call unto the Lord and cry out to Him as the Spirit guides, allowing your tears to flow if needed.

Pray

Ask the Spirit to guide you in learning to call unto the Lord in faith.

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