The Call Of God

by Guy Jarvie, Glasgow, Scotland | Category: General | Apr 1990

Few men if any have begun life with such opportunities as Solomon had.

His father was David, the wise king of Israel. When Solomon was a child the

Lord loved him and called him Jedidiah - beloved of the Lord (2 Sam.

23:24,25).

Solomon wrote most of the book of Proverbs, which we all read for instruction and help. He also wrote the Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes and two psalms, 72 and 127. When he became king, and the temple of God was built, his prayer and supplication for Israel was remarkable in its wisdom and its reverence for God. He knelt down on a bronze platform in the presence of his people as he stretched out his hands to God. It was probably the greatest day in his life (1 Kin. 8; 2 Chr. 6).

Solomon, during his lifetime, gathered much gold and silver, so much so that silver was counted as common as stones in the street (2 Chr. 9:7). All his drinking vessels were of gold. He did not know - or he ignored - the word of the Lord for the kings of Israel, that they should not gather much gold, or many horses, nor should they have many wives (Deut. 17:14-17). Solomon did the opposite. When he grew old some of his wives turned away his heart from the Lord, and at last he "went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites" (1 Kin. 11:5). The Lord hates idolatry (Jer. 44:4).

Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 2:17, confessed "So I hated life ... for all is vanity and a striving after wind". The tragedy was that he had no years left to turn again to the call of God. His life was finished. David his father had sinned grievously, but he wept his way back to God and to His call. David's last days were among his best days. His place is marked for him in the glorious future reign of Immanuel (Ezek. 34:23,24).

The days of our lives are of great value to the Lord. In the years that are granted to us we can hear the call of God, and serve Him in them. We would earnestly encourage our younger brethren and sisters to seek the call of God in the time of youth and vitality. Do not lose these vital years. Refuse to listen to the call of the world in whatever way it may come.

Two men once walked together, the life-work of one of them was nearly finished, that of the other was only beginning. Each of them had heard the call of God. They were Elijah and Elisha. In their times most of the people followed the call of the world. Elisha knew that his master, Elijah, would soon be leaving him. Elijah asked Elisha, What shall I do for you before I

am taken from you? Elisha said, Let a double portion of your spirit be upon me (2 Kin. 2:9). There was no turning back with Elisha. He had seen the spirit and power of Elijah, and he knew the call of God.

"Come ye after Me" the Master said, "and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they left the nets and followed Him" (Mark 1:17,18). The disciples had much to learn, but in due time they became real fishers of men. The Master did not promise an easy time, but they had heard His words and they had seen His works and they never turned back. They had heard His call and that had gripped them. When we hear the call of God let us go forward to whatever service the Lord appoints us.

"Him would Paul have to go forth with him... as they went on their way through the cities" (Acts 16:3,4). What would Timothy get if he went with Paul? Ah, he went to give, not to get. He had heard the call of God and he

was ready to go. His brethren had commended him, and that was important, so that they all worked in unity. Years before; Paul had heard the call of God, and he turned his back on the call of the world. The time came when Paul's work was finished, and he must leave his younger companion. He wrote to him, "Be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come" (2 Tim. 4:5,6). Their reward will be seen at the judgement seat of Christ. That is the great day for all who love and serve Christ.

What is involved in the call of God? First of all it is to yield ourselves to God, a living sacrifice, as we read in Romans 12:1,2. When our lives are yielded to God, then the charge is, "Love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned" (1 Tim. 1:5). Let us go forward. The Master is calling us.

Guy Jarvie, Glasgow, Scotland | Apr 1990
General