"And the sheep follow him, for they know his voice."
John 10:4
A woman once asked her minister, "Do you believe God ever speaks to us today?" The minister quickly replied, "I know He does. He speaks to us through the Bible, and I hope that He speaks to you when I'm preaching the Bible." She was still not completely satisfied, so she asked one more question. "But, how can I know He is really speaking to me personally?" The minister said, "That's a really good question. When God's Word speaks personally to us, we know it in our hearts. The fruit is good. There is love, joy and peace. This is the fruit of the Spirit of God speaking to our hearts."
In Bible days, the shepherd led his sheep with his voice. They knew his voice. They followed him. The sheep trusted the shepherd's voice. Believers follow the good Shepherd's voice, knowing that He will always lead us in the right path for His name's sake. A hymn writer put it this way, "And, He walks with me, and He talks with me; and He tells me I am His own. And, the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known." The gentle voice of our Shepherd speaks with love, bringing joy and peace.
Would you like to hear the Shepherd's voice speak to your heart today? If so, I invite you to read the tenth chapter of John's gospel. He speaks to every believer about the relationship we have with Him. You can hear the Shepherd's voice each and every day, as you read from the Bible. He has much to say to us. As we listen, our hearts are kept in tune to the voice of His love and grace, kindness and gentleness. Hear God's voice.
God, speak to our hearts today through Your living Word, that we may be filled with Your love and grace. Amen.
