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GENESIS 15:1-12,17-18 

PHILIPPIANS 3:17-4:1 

LUKE 13:31-35 

LENT REFLECTIONS (DAY 12- SUNDAY REFLECTION) 

Children are usually vulnerable therefore at any given time they find themselves in trouble they call on their parents for security and help, such is the relationship between believers and God. For this reason, we are called upon to reflect on the theme “Call on the Lord at all times” The fundamental question our reflection will answer is, “why must we call on the Lord at all times?” Dear friend, we must call on the Lord at all times because of the following reason which shall be the main points for our reflection: 

1. We must call on name of the Lord at all times because He has a covenant with us. 
2. We must call on name of the Lord at all times because our citizenship is in heaven. 
3. We must call on name of the Lord at all times because we are on His mission in the world.  

Firstly beloved in the Lord, it is impossible to call on a person who does not exist for help. The good news is that we believers can always call on the Lord at all times because He has a covenant with us and has called us by our names. In the first Scripture reading, we realise that because Abram had a covenant relationship with God, He could call upon the Lord when He was in dire need of a son or an heir. Lord assured Abram as he then was that “Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1). The Lord further promised him that “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir. ” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars —if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”(Genesis 15:4-6). Dear friend in the Lord, the Lord is our sustainer and provider, He has a covenant with us through our Lord Jesus Christ therefore we can always in faith call upon His name. Paul further encourages us that “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile —the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13) 

Second, we must always call on the name of the Lord because our citizenship is from heaven. In the recent Russia-Ukraine war, Ghanaian students who were stranded in Ukraine called upon the Government of Ghana to be repatriated. They were able to call on the Government of Ghana because they were citizens of Ghana and the nation owes them the responsibility of ensuring that they are safe. Similarly, because we are saved by Jesus we have become citizens of heaven for which at all times we must call on the Lord. It is, for this reason, Paul in the second Scripture reading reminded the Philippian Christians and consequently us that we must not set our minds on earthly things “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21). Let us remember that as we call on the name of the Lord as citizens of His heavenly Kingdom let us trust and obey His Word and live for His glory.  

Thirdly, being citizens of heaven we are on earth for a mission. Just like Christ was on a mission to save souls, we are also to continue that mission amidst persecution and opposition. We must always call on the Lord because the mission is tough and we shall be met with persecution and opposition. In the third Scripture reading Jesus gave us an assurance that when we call on the Lord at all times, He will see us through our mission. It is for this reason when the Pharisee informed Him about Herod’s plan to kill Him, He answered “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.” (Luke 13:32). Dear friend, without the empowerment of God, we cannot reach our goals in life and fulfil our mission and purpose in life but when we call on the name of the Lord at all times, we shall by His grace reach our goals to the glory of His name. Praise the Lord! Do not be intimidated by the threats of your enemies “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). David shared his testimony of calling on the Lord at all times that “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. (Psalms 91:7-8) 

In summary, let us call on the name of the Lord at all times even as we journey through the Lent season. The reflection has revealed to us that we must call on the Lord all the time because He has a covenant with us, we are citizens of heaven and last but not least, we are on His mission in the world. May the Holy Spirit enable us to always put our trust in God and always call on Him at all times to overcome the obstacles in our lives. Amen. 

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)