Fully Responding to God’s Calling

by Mitchell Tan
December 09, 2021

THANK GOD FOR A WONDERFUL YOUTH WORSHIP SPECIAL

We want to thank God for His grace in blessing our Youth Worship Special. During the week, much has been taught by Pastor Charles about what it means to walk before the LORD. Our hearts are deeply encouraged by the word of God to commence and to continue walking with Him. Our challenge is now to be able to respond well to the LORD’s word. One lesson that continues to resonate with me is to give our whole-hearted response to His call.

WHEN PEOPLE DO NOT RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL AS THEY SHOULD

The LORD has always desired for His creation to worship Him with sincerity and fullness of heart. Before we can worship Him in such a manner, we need to respond to Him in a definite way. The Lord will first make a call for us to know Him and to have a whole-hearted response to Him.

When God called out to Terah and his sons, Abram and Nahor, they were to fully respond to Him. While Abram made a whole-hearted response to Him, the rest of the family did not.

1. WHEN THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO GOD

Nahor, Abraham’s brother did not respond to God’s calling (Genesis 11:29). He and his family continued to stay in Haran (Genesis 11:31-32). He did not personally relate with God much, if at all.

There is this real danger of hearing the Lord’s word and not responding to it at all.

2. HAVING A HALF-HEARTED RESPONSE TO GOD

Terah heard the call from the Lord to leave Ur and to go to Canaan (Genesis 11:31). He took his whole family to Haran and continued to stay there. He had a half-hearted response to the Lord. He was supposed to go to Canaan but instead decided to remain in Haran. It is easy for us to have a half-hearted response to God. Things in life can distract us from responding to God as we should.

HAVING A FULL RESPONSE TO GOD’S CALL – THE EXAMPLE OF ABRAHAM

1. HAVING A WHOLE-HEARTED RESPONSE TO GOD’S CALLING

“So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him”
Genesis 12:4

Abram had a whole-hearted response to the LORD’s word. The LORD had called him to come out of his country and his family (Genesis 12:1-3). He and his family were to go to the land which the LORD would show him and he would be specially blessed. Abram responded and obeyed the LORD fully. He followed through by going out from Ur of the Chaldeans, to Haran, and to Canaan. It was by means of faith in God and His promises that Abram obeyed His word (Hebrews 11:8).

2. HAVING A WHOLE-HEARTED RESPONSE IN WORSHIPPING GOD

“There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.”
Genesis 12:8

Abram obeyed the LORD fully; took his family, his servants, and possessions and went down to Canaan. It was there that the LORD revealed Himself further to Abram. He responded by building an altar to worship the LORD at Shechem and also at a place near Bethel. There was a heart of gratitude to God for watching over him and his family during the journey. He was able to see the reality of the LORD God in keeping them. He worshipped the LORD whole-heartedly. He called on His name in prayer. He had a real and personal relationship with the LORD God.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

1. CHECKING OUR RESPONSE TO THE LORD’S WORD

What kind of response are we going to give to God and His word? Are we going away from the Youth Worship special with no response at all or are we going to give a “half-hearted” response to God’s calling?

2. GIVING A WHOLE-HEARTED RESPONSE TO GOD

A. WHOLE-HEARTED OBEDIENCE

Let’s learn to cultivate whole-hearted obedience to the LORD and to keep following Him.

B. WHOLE-HEARTED WORSHIP

Let’s learn to give whole-hearted worship and praise to the LORD. He deserves nothing less than our whole heart in worship.

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