Friday | Week 9

Throughout this week we have been focusing on Jesus as our true Shepherd. Today I want to focus on one particular claim of Jesus. He says in John 10:25-30,

“I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

In verse 27 Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice.” In a normal day there are many voices clamoring for our attention—spouses, parents, kids, bosses, advertisers, media and politicians. As I’m writing this amid the fears of the Corona Virus, the voices are loud and constant, speaking fear into the hearts of people. It is so easy to get caught up in the disharmony of all these voices and lose the sound of Jesus’ voice.

As Elijah stood on Mount Horeb, he heard a strong wind tear at the mountain as well as an earthquake and a fire; yet the voice of God came as a whisper. What does it take to hear God’s whisper amid the noise of today’s world? As the message of the world seeks to entice, to instill fear or worse to ignore others and look out for number one, do we hear and heed the words of Jesus?

My brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus has called us out of this world to follow him. We are to be Holy (set apart) for his purposes. Step away from the world’s voices and take some time to sit at the Savior’s feet. Hear what he says to you today: You are mine, I know you, I give you eternal life and no one can snatch you out of my hand.

May you rest in his favor today as he speaks to you. Speak to him this prayer: 

“Lord speak, I am listening. Lead gentle Shepherd, and I will follow.”