As a pastor, I’ve seen this happen on several occasions during a service: a mother hears a faint cry from beyond the sanctuary, gets up, walks toward the rear of the room, and immediately goes to the nursery where her child is being cared for. Without anyone telling her, she knew that it was her baby who cried out and she needed to go and relieve the childcare volunteer by providing care for her precious child. Studies have shown that mothers are especially attuned to the cries of their own children and can often identify their kid’s cries from those of other children with 100 percent accuracy!
John 10:4 describes a similar principle, but in reverse: Jesus said, “After [a shepherd] has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of [the sheep], and they follow him because they know his voice.” They recognize that the voice isn’t that of a stranger. It’s the very sound of their helper and protector, so they willingly follow when they hear it (John 10:5). Like a mother to her child, we as Jesus’ followers can be uniquely attuned to the sound of His voice in our lives—able to discern it over the other voices and influences we encounter. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me” (John 10:14).
The question is, how do we sharpen this sense so that we can distinguish the Lord’s voice clearly over all the others around us? There are many ways we can do this, but one of the most valuable ways is through time in Scripture. As we spend time in the Word and prayer, we will come to know Jesus more deeply, and His Spirit will draw us closer to Him in fellowship. Then, much like a mother with her baby, we’ll spring into action whenever we hear His call!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 11:1-18
More:
Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10 for the story of a young boy who learned to hear and respond to God’s voice.
Next:
Have you ever had an experience where you believe God spoke to you? What are some other ways you can sharpen your ability to discern the voice of God in your life?
godlove on October 25, 2016 at 4:10 am
Thank you for this devotional, Peter. I’m in awe at the loving God we have, who not only waits and listens when we talk to Him in prayer but He also talks to us personally, to guide us and lead us. I don’t know whether I can identify a situation where God literally spoke to me, however I do know that I pray to Him asking for guidance all the time and He answers me. His “voice” has been particularly obvious during times when I have had tough decisions to make. With hindsight, looking at how the situations eventually turned out, I’m absolutely certain that God led me to take the right decision and I’m so thankful for His continuous guidance and care. Above all, I’m forever grateful to God for calling me to belong to the flock of Jesus Christ’s followers, and for talking to me through His Word in Scripture, feeding me spiritually everyday. Let’s pray that with the help of the Spirit, we may never miss or ignore the voice of the God when He talks to us. Blessed day to everyone, with love.
mb19339 on October 25, 2016 at 9:20 am
Thanks for this! Yes, recognizing God’s guidance is a difficult thing that we can never quite put our finger on, isn’t it! But as we seek Him and His guidance, we find ourselves able to see through the conflicting advice and have the courage to take a step forward. Looking back, we get a clearer sense how He was leading us all along.
Gary Shultz on October 25, 2016 at 6:13 am
Hi Peter, we never had a big flock, but sheep were never my favorite animals on the farm, and I was probably not their favorite person. One thing that was missing was a time relationship with those dingy animals. But a nice analogy with the mother, hearing the object of their love and attention. I must agree with you Peter that the regular investment in knowing God will be the key to hearing God’s will and direction, more often and more clearly. I have work to do here, but we want to be more and more in touch with hearing the Lord and having a close walk with him. We don’t have to ask as many questions, we walk more graciously, and we have the satisfaction of God’s peace. Yet, as Godlove says, (that) we may never miss or ignore the voice of the God when He talks to us. Not only do we have a Shepard, He is a perfect Shepard. Thanks Peter
mb19339 on October 25, 2016 at 9:22 am
Thanks for this comment, Gary. I agree with you that Peter’s analogy of a mother’s single-minded love for her children is a beautiful compliment to the Shepherd and sheep image Jesus provides. I think we can all use this reminder to follow His voice first.
gagirllive on October 25, 2016 at 7:07 am
Peter, I can certainly identify with your analogy. I remember doing that very thing as a young mother many times. If it’s not TMI (Too Much Information), I will add that often times my milk would let down as a signal that my baby was crying and needed me. I was always amazed at how God designed mother and child to be so intuitively connected. I feel that same amazement when I read John 10. It is one of the sweetest passages in scripture to me. I love that He calls His sheep by name. By name—He knows my name! He doesn’t just see me as part of His great flock. He knows me by name— personally, as one of His own. The passage is also very sobering, as Jesus does make a clear distinction between Himself and the hireling. And so should we. His true sheep will recognized and respond to only His voice. Why? Because He has walked and talked with us. He wants to train our ear to know His voice through communion with Him in His word and in prayer. Shepherd and sheep must spend a lot of time together to build this kind of intimacy. I also love the fact that the Good Shepherd goes BEFORE His sheep. In the image you used for this devotional, I noticed how the Shepherd is in front of the sheep. Jesus said He LEADS them out. Ranchers DRIVE their cattle from behind, usually very aggressively. What a contrast! We have a wonderful Shepherd who tenderly cares for us, who calls us by name, who goes before us and leads us to safe pasture! I always find and hear His voice in His word. I hear Him speak to my heart as I walk and talk with Him everyday. Often I will say, “Father, what do you want to say to me today?” I use two devotional books and my Bible during my quiet time, and yesterday the place where I was in all three just “happened” to be on the same subject. He certainly had my full attention! I cannot tell you how many times that has happened to me. He often speaks to me through a common theme as I spend time in His word. God is here, and He is speaking all the time to His children. We need to “Be still and know that He is God.” There is no greater joy. Thank you, Peter. Your devos are such a blessing to me. Joy and peace to everyone today!
mb19339 on October 25, 2016 at 9:18 am
Thanks for this very thoughtful comment! You are right, this passage is both a beautiful description of our Savior’s love for us and a sobering reminder that there are other voices out there that, like the “hireling,” do not put our welfare first and will lead us astray. Thanks for this reminder that we should never put the voices of people at the same level as our Shepherd’s gentle guidance. -Monica
envirotact on October 25, 2016 at 9:52 am
I was watching an episode of the series “Band of Brothers” about Easy Company in WWII. All these companies of soldiers had gathered together after a particular battle and they were all intermingled – just talking and resting. Then, it was time to “move out” and a captain said “let’s move” and just from the sound of his voice, his men came out from among all the hundreds there…and followed him. It all reminded me of the Lord calling His sheep.
sim jing ying on October 25, 2016 at 10:09 am
God speaks to me through the Bible and I can sharpen my hearing by continuing this journey with God.
minkjh on October 25, 2016 at 1:23 pm
I really love John 10 for the duality that the apostle presents for us. Jesus not only is the Good Shepherd; he is the Door to the sheepfold as well. That door is unique in that it represents the only way to enter eternal life. Peter so profoundly noted the need for discernment in his closing remarks. This is essential if we are to grow spiritually and distinguish truth from error, and to do it objectively through the study of God’s Word. But being ‘book smart’ in scripture is only one part of the equation. We also need to have our whole self devoted to Jesus to enable the Holy Spirit to reside within us and effectively guide us to rightly handle the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). May we all take responsibility to know and trust with confidence the truth of the Word and in so doing honor our Good Shepherd.
hsnpoor on October 25, 2016 at 3:26 pm
It’s not often that I’ve heard God’s still, quiet voice, but I have heard it. The first time was so impactful that I’ll never forget the sound. I was at a church membership meeting because I felt I was being lead to leave one church and join another. I had heard the material that was being covered in the meeting before, so my mind began making a list of pros and cons as to why I should stay vs. moving. One of my “pros” was because I was comfortable at my current church. No sooner had the thought entered my mind, I clearly heard the Lords Spirit speak to my own saying ” I didn’t save you to be comfortable”. Those words not only changed my church membership, they changed my life.