My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. – John 10:27
Do you find solace and comfort in hymns of the faith? Do their lyrics sometimes challenge you? How does your heart respond when you hear or sing, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” one of the hymns by Isaac Watts, known as the “Father of English Hymnology?” Are you joyous when you join with others at Christmas in “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley? America’s most prolific hymnwriter was Fanny Crosby, with more than 8,500 hymns to her credit, including “Blessed Assurance” and “Draw Me Nearer,” in which the latter proclaims, “I am thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, and it told Thy love to me.”
Do you listen for the voice of the Lord? When discussing His use of parables, Jesus told His disciples, “’If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.’ And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear’” (Mark 4:23-24). He later said, “Listen to Me, all of you and understand” (Mark 7:14, NASB). One of the means that God uses to speak to you today is through the Bible. As you read it, open your heart and mind to hear directly from the Lord. Take time in your prayer life to be silent, listening for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit to guide you (1 Kings 19:11-13). Pastor Charles Stanley stated, “God’s voice is always consistent with His Word… His voice is quiet, … the Lord speaks clearly.”
Jesus, your Good Shepherd, said that His sheep know His voice. Sheep learn the voice of their shepherd by dwelling continually with him. So attuned are they to the shepherd’s voice that all other voices are ignored and rejected. Beware of false teachers and their deceptive ways. “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Mathew 24:24). Listen, pay attention, and follow the Shepherd of your soul.
Today’s Verse: John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Peter 1:12-21
12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
