In Genesis 4, one of the bleakest chapters in the Bible, we have a closing sentence that adds a note of hope to an otherwise dark description of human corruption. What a difference it makes to call on the name of the Lord!
Throughout the year we have to turn to this Incarnate Son of God or else we are filled with despair. The rivals against God's people are too great. The threats against the Christian confession are too numerous, the battles that are external to the faithful are overwhelming and the internal battle that we wage against sin in our lives is too intense – too severe – to have any hope of finding a solution in ourselves.
But God provides. As he always does!
The offspring given to Eve. The seed born of a woman. The descendant of Seth who came in the fullness of time to redeem sinners and set the crown of righteousness upon the head of those who are weak in spirit, crushed by the condemnation of the law, and raised in new life through the Spirit of God!
That's what the people who began to call upon the name of the Lord were praying for!