YOU WERE CALLED BUT YOU DID NOT ANSWER By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture
“And you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:12–13 (NIV)
________________________________________
Introduction
Throughout the Bible, God presents Himself as a loving Father who calls His people to fellowship, obedience, and partnership in His purposes. The call of God is not casual—it is intentional, transformative, and rooted in His love. Yet, tragically, many hear His call but fail to respond. They are distracted by the temporal pleasures of this world, bound by self-centered pursuits, or ensnared by the deceits of the enemy.
The message, “You Were Called But You Did Not Answer,” reflects a heartbreaking reality: God’s people—those who have tasted His goodness—can harden their hearts and ignore His voice. This is not simply a story of disobedience; it is the tragic tale of missed opportunities, forfeited destinies, and lost intimacy with the One who loves us beyond measure.
This lesson explores the divine call, the reasons people fail to respond, the consequences of ignoring God’s voice, and the glorious restoration available to those who turn back to Him. As we unpack these truths, you will be challenged to evaluate your own response to God’s call, to realign your priorities, and to walk in the freedom, mercy, and light He offers to His chosen ones.
________________________________________
THE DIVINE CALL: GOD SPEAKS, WE MUST ANSWER
________________________________________
From Genesis to Revelation, God is portrayed as a God who calls. He called Adam and Eve in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:9), He called Abraham to leave his homeland (Genesis 12:1), He called Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4), and He calls every believer to salvation through Jesus Christ (John 6:44). God’s call is both personal and purposeful.
When God calls, He is not merely inviting us to a religious duty; He is drawing us into His heart, His will, and His mission. Isaiah 55:3 declares, “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.” The divine call is life-giving—it rescues us from spiritual death and brings us into alignment with His eternal purposes.
To answer God’s call means to submit our will to His, to surrender our ambitions, and to delight in His ways above our own. Those who answer His call discover their true identity, purpose, and destiny. But those who ignore Him drift into spiritual desolation and bondage.
________________________________________
WHY MANY DO NOT ANSWER THE CALL
________________________________________
One of the most sobering truths of Scripture is that multitudes are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). This is not because God arbitrarily rejects them but because they refuse to respond. They are consumed by the cares of this world and distracted by transient pleasures that cannot satisfy.
Jesus warned of this in the Parable of the Sower. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns choked it out—representing those who hear the word but the worries of life and deceitfulness of wealth suffocate it (Matthew 13:22). Likewise today, many Christians live as though the eternal call of God is optional, putting their careers, relationships, and desires above the voice of their Father.
Another reason people fail to respond is spiritual callousness. Over time, repeated disobedience hardens the heart. Hebrews 3:15 warns, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” The Spirit speaks, but they dismiss Him. The longer they delay, the quieter His voice seems—not because He has stopped speaking, but because their sensitivity to Him has dulled.
The enemy also plays a role. 2 Corinthians 4:4 states, “The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel.” Demonic powers deceive and entice people into traps of sin, rebellion, and pride, until they cannot discern between truth and lies. They are driven like captives deeper into darkness, even as they long for freedom.
________________________________________
THE CONSEQUENCES OF IGNORING GOD’S VOICE
________________________________________
Ignoring God’s call is not a neutral act; it carries grave consequences. When His people refuse to respond, they forfeit the blessings, protections, and guidance He offers. They become vulnerable to demonic oppression and spiritual captivity.
God laments over such people in Proverbs 1:24–26: “But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you.” This is not because God is cruel but because rebellion naturally leads to destruction.
Those who ignore God’s call also lose out on their divine assignments. They may live for themselves, achieve worldly success, yet stand empty-handed before God. They exchange eternal rewards for temporal gains and end up trapped in spiritual despair. Like the prodigal son, they find themselves feeding swine in a foreign land, miserable and enslaved by their own choices (Luke 15:14–16).
________________________________________
THE HEART OF THE FATHER: STILL CALLING HIS CHILDREN
________________________________________
Despite our failures, God remains a loving Father who continues to call His children back to Himself. His voice is persistent, patient, and tender. He does not delight in anyone’s destruction but longs for all to repent and live (Ezekiel 33:11).
Think of the heart of a natural father who calls and calls his children, yet they refuse to answer. His heart breaks with grief. How much more does our Heavenly Father feel when we ignore His Spirit? Yet even then, He continues to beckon, whispering through the still small voice, urging us to return.
This is the essence of grace: even when we are distant, calloused, or rebellious, God keeps reaching out. Isaiah 30:21 assures us, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” The invitation remains open until the day of judgment.
________________________________________
THE BLESSING OF ANSWERING THE CALL
________________________________________
When we respond to God’s call with humility and surrender, we step into a realm of blessing, guidance, and empowerment. His Spirit leads us away from traps and into freedom. We become discerning, able to distinguish between good and evil, and our spiritual vision is no longer clouded by the god of this world. Jesus promised in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Those who heed His voice walk in His mercy rather than misery. They are protected from deception, strengthened against temptation, and filled with joy and peace. They experience what David described in Psalm 23:3: “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
Furthermore, answering God’s call brings privilege. We are chosen to partner with Him in His purposes, to be vessels of His light in a dark world. As Isaiah responded, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8), so we too can be used mightily for His glory when we say “yes” to His call.
________________________________________
LIVING DAILY IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S VOICE
________________________________________
Answering God’s call is not a one-time event; it is a daily posture of the heart. We cannot live on yesterday’s obedience or past encounters with God. We must seek Him afresh each day, asking, “Lord, what would You have me do today?”
Jesus taught us to pray for daily bread (Matthew 6:11), which implies daily dependence. Likewise, we must listen for His daily instructions, walk in His present will, and remain sensitive to His Spirit. Lamentations 3:23 reminds us that His mercies are “new every morning.”
This daily responsiveness keeps us in His light and away from the traps of the enemy. It preserves our spiritual vitality, strengthens our discernment, and fills us with gratitude. As we serve Him with thanksgiving, we experience freedom rather than captivity, joy rather than sorrow, and light rather than darkness.
________________________________________
Summary
________________________________________
God is a loving Father who calls His people into intimacy, obedience, and partnership with Him. Yet many ignore His call, distracted by worldly pursuits, hardened by disobedience, or blinded by the enemy. This leads to spiritual captivity, misery, and lost opportunities.
However, God’s heart still longs for His children to return. Those who answer His call experience mercy, freedom, and guidance. They are chosen, empowered, and protected from the traps of the wicked one. Living daily in response to His voice keeps us in the path of light, purpose, and blessing.
________________________________________
Conclusion
________________________________________
“You Were Called But You Did Not Answer” is a warning but also an invitation. It warns us of the danger of ignoring God’s voice but invites us into the joy of daily obedience. We must examine our hearts and ask: Are we responding to His call, or are we distracted by lesser things?
God is calling you now—not just to salvation but to deeper surrender, greater faithfulness, and active participation in His purposes. Do not delay. Do not harden your heart. Answer Him today with a willing spirit, and you will experience the abundant life He intends for you.
________________________________________
Call to Action
________________________________________
Take time this week to quiet your heart and listen for God’s voice. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you have ignored His call. Repent of distractions, disobedience, and self-centeredness. Surrender afresh to His will and declare, “Yes Lord, here I am. Choose me. Send me.”
Commit to daily responsiveness—spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and yielding to His promptings. Surround yourself with believers who encourage obedience and accountability. As you do, you will find your life transformed by His mercy and light.
________________________________________
Final Word of Encouragement
________________________________________
You are not doomed to misery. You are not trapped beyond hope. No matter how far you have wandered, the Father’s call still reaches you. His mercy is greater than your rebellion, His grace stronger than your weakness. If you will answer Him now, He will lift you out of the mire, guide you by His Spirit, and fill you with His joy.
Keep your eyes on Him. Live in gratitude. Walk daily in His light. And remember, it is a privilege to be chosen. Cherish that privilege by answering His call with a resounding “Yes!”
________________________________________
Prayer of Salvation
________________________________________
Heavenly Father, I thank You for calling me through Your love. I confess that I have wandered and ignored Your voice. Today, I repent of my sins and surrender my life to Jesus Christ. I believe that He died for my sins and rose again for my salvation. Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Be my Savior, my Lord, and my King. Teach me to hear Your voice, to follow You daily, and to live for Your purposes. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and guide me in Your light all the days of my life. Thank You for saving me and making me Your child. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
