His Voice

by Angie Thomas

I was so, so touched and encouraged as I started to read the passages in our homework about being a sheep.  The passage in John 10 especially stood out to me and encouraged my heart.  What sweet truths to know that Jesus is our Good Shepherd and that the Bible promises us in this passage that as sheep we hear and know His voice!  Not only that but it also says Jesus calls us by name and leads us.  “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  …and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:3b, 4b).

I don’t know about you all, but I often struggle to know if I am hearing the voice of Jesus.  There is so much in our world(s) shouting at us.  The culture, our friends and family, blogs, and all kinds of stuff we see on the Internet or on television.  It can be overwhelming to discern what is really the voice of Jesus in the midst of the chaos.  But the Scripture promises us that if we listen and seek Him we will hear his voice and know it as being from Him.

How will we know it is His voice whispering to our hearts and not just our own wants, desires, or preconceived notions? Because He will reveal His voice to us in His Word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 

Friends, this is why it is so important that we carve out and sacrifice time every day to spend with Jesus, our Shepherd, in His Word and in quiet with Him. Think about sheep again. They have daily been called by name out to pasture and brought back in at night to the safety of the gates and courtyard of their shepherd.

I know the doubts and disbelief that can plague our minds about making the time to be with Jesus.  What if I don’t hear Him?  Is He really going to speak to me personally?  Do I even really know how to listen? Will you place these concerns at the feet of Jesus and trust His love for you and be willing to walk forward by faith, crying out to Jesus to hear His voice? Confess to Him that you don’t know how to do it and that you are scared perhaps even of what He might say. He knows all of your doubts and fears, dear one.  You don’t have to hide them from Him.  He loves you so tenderly.  Will you allow Him the opportunity to show you that love?

If you have truly given your life to Jesus and confessed Him as your Lord and Savior you are one of His beloved sheep–you have already heard His voice and answered His call to follow Him!  And He wants to reveal Himself to you more and more.  If you aren’t sure you have ever fully surrendered your life to Jesus, but hear that still small voice calling to you, will you please talk to your Abigail or myself?  We love you and have been praying for you and want to do whatever we can to help you follow Jesus.