Larnelle Harris - When God Calls Lyrics
Lyrics
What wonder and fear
Moses must have felt that day
When God's voice spoke from a burning bush
And sealed His Holy fate
For the prideful Saul of tarsus
The day turned into night
When a blinding flash from God
Left him groping without sight
God called them
He called them to obey Him
And to follow His command
To attend divine appointment
With the blessed great I Am
When God calls
We stand before the maker of the universe
When God calls
He lifts our spirit far from all the realms of earth
We tremble at His bidding
With our feet on Holy ground
A consecrated summons
To the throne room of His power
We bow and worship Him alone
When God calls
From that moment in the garden
When He first created man
He has longed that we should know Him
And prosper at His hand
So He draws us to His presence
And brings us to His light
Destined steps in the journey
Of a heart that's sanctified
God calls us
Oh, how He calls us in our sorrow
And finds us in our pain
To receive His gift of mercy
Salvation in His name
When God calls
We stand before the maker of the universe
When God calls
He lifts our spirit far from all the realms of earth
We tremble at His bidding
With our feet on Holy ground
A consecrated summons
To the throne room of His power
We bow and worship Him alone
When God calls
One great and glorious day
When all our work is done
When we prodigals see heaven
And the Father brings us home
There every tear that was ever shed
Will dry and disappear
When our eyes behold with wonder
As the Father and the Son of God appear
O hear the angels worship Him
Everything that has breath praise the Lord
And every saint that's gone before us
Will be there when we come home
We'll stand before the maker of the universe
When God calls
He lifts our spirit far from all the realms of earth
We tremble at His bidding
With our feet on Holy ground
A consecrated summons
To the throne room of His power
We bow and worship Him alone
Our hearts become the master's own
Oh, the greatest glory man can know
When God calls
When God calls!
Video
When God Calls
Meaning & Inspiration
Larnelle Harris’s “When God Calls,” released on his 1995 album *First Love*, stands as a profound meditation on divine invitation and humanity’s response. This song isn't merely a melody; it's a theological journey, drawing deeply from the wellspring of Scripture to articulate the transformative power of God’s summons. From its opening verses, Harris masterfully evokes pivotal moments in biblical history – Moses at the burning bush, a scene steeped in awe and divine authority as described in Exodus 3:1-10, and Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, whose encounter with Christ forever altered his path, as detailed in Acts 9:1-19. These powerful narratives serve not as mere anecdotes, but as illustrations of God’s persistent, life-altering calls to individuals throughout salvation history. The core message resonates with the universal truth that God initiates contact, seeking to draw us into obedience and communion. The refrain, "When God calls, we stand before the maker of the universe," captures the immensity and solemnity of these divine encounters. It reminds us that each calling, whether personal or on a grand scale, positions us in the presence of the Almighty, the "Great I Am" (Exodus 3:14). This standing before God is not one of casual familiarity, but one that inspires reverence and awe, where our spirits are lifted beyond earthly concerns to acknowledge His sovereignty. The imagery of trembling and feet on holy ground powerfully conveys the sacredness of His presence and the weighty nature of His commands, aligning with the biblical admonition to "be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
The song then delves into the overarching narrative of God’s longing for relationship, tracing back to the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. Harris emphasizes God’s desire for humanity to know Him and flourish under His guidance, a sentiment echoed in verses like Jeremiah 29:11, which promises plans to prosper and give hope. This divine pursuit is depicted as a gentle drawing, a leading into His light, guiding hearts toward sanctification. The lyrics articulate a beautiful understanding of God’s grace actively seeking us out, even in our most broken moments. His call comes to us in sorrow and pain, offering the immeasurable gift of mercy and salvation through His name, a promise foundational to the Gospel (John 3:16). The latter part of the song shifts to a glorious anticipation of the future, the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. The vision of "prodigals" returning home, tears being dried, and the ultimate revelation of the Father and the Son is deeply rooted in the hope of eternal life and Christ’s second coming. Passages like Revelation 21:4, which speaks of God wiping away every tear, and the promise of reunion with believers who have gone before, imbue the song with a profound eschatological hope. The repeated declaration, "We bow and worship Him alone," underscores the exclusive devotion God deserves, a theme consistently present in Scripture, as seen in the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-38). Ultimately, “When God Calls” is a rich tapestry woven with biblical truth, inspiring listeners to recognize God’s voice in their lives, respond with humble obedience, and hold onto the everlasting hope of His eternal call home.