Prayer

Topic today is "[Calling] on the Name of the LORD". The verses to read are 17 through 25 of Genesis 26. Before this passage of Scripture, Isaac had lied to Abimelech, king of the Philistines. Isaac told the Philistines Rebekah was his sister because he feared her beauty would give the men reason to kill him. One day, however, Abimelech looked out a window and saw Isaac caressing Rebekah. He knew then that Rebekah was his wife and made the following decree:  "He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death" (Genesis 26:11). It was after this decree that Isaac prospered, so much so that the Philistines asked him to leave, so he did. In retaliation of such tremendous prosperity on Isaac's part, the Philistines filled the wells "which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father" (Genesis 26:16). After Isaac left, his servants digged in the valley of Gerar and found a well of running water; however, the herdmen of Gerar refused to give this well to Isaac and so claimed it as their own. Again, they digged another, and was denied that one as well. On his third try, however, he was able to claim a well; it was this well he named Rehoboth, which means spaciousness. After this successful attempt, Isaac traveled to Beersheba, where the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of Abraham thy father:  fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake." Stressed again through His Word, the LORD kept His promise to Abraham. Isaac then built an altar and "called upon the name of the LORD". Omartian emphasizes the meaning of calling upon the name of the LORD. When I read this phrase, I immediately think of prayer, but it's much more than that. It is recognizing God's goodness and His ability to perform far beyond that which we could ever imagine. Calling upon the name of the LORD is not just asking; it's trusting Him to do that which He desires for you. The LORD deserves praise. Omartain ends her study with these words:  "Praise God every day for all the ways that He is sufficient for every need you have, and like Isaac, declare your faithfulness to Him by calling on His name in prayer."