Holy Week: SHEEP AND SHEPHERDS
Monday / Know the Shepherd’s Voice
Read John 10: 1-5 (NLT)
“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
Think
The sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice. He speaks to them constantly, talking with them so they’ll learn to recognize him speaking. He starts when they’re little lambs and continues throughout their lives. As he works with them, the shepherd keeps up a constant stream of reassuring conversation, letting the sheep know he’s there and reminding them he cares.
I wasn’t born knowing my shepherd’s voice, either. I have to learn to recognize God, to know God’s voice, too. God is my Good Shepherd, and I have an in-born need to follow like a sheep follows a shepherd. But I have to learn to hear God speaking to me. It takes work and diligence and practice. Especially in today’s dark and difficult world, there are so many other voices that scream for my attention.
So, how do I learn to hear God speaking to me? The very best thing I can do is pray. Talking with God as much as possible is the key to learning to tell when God is speaking. As I practice praying and listening, I get better at knowing God’s voice guiding me. The more I talk with God, the easier it is to hear God and the closer I can follow where God leads.
Pray
Good Shepherd of my life, I know you made me with the built-in desire to follow you. But sometimes other voices grab my attention. I wander off after a shiny thing and fall into a ditch. I get stuck and lost so easily, Lord. Thank you for always coming after me, and over and over again, bringing me back to you. Help me listen closely for your voice as I go, Lord. Be with me in all I do so that I don’t get lost along the way. Amen.
Do
Learning to hear God’s voice takes practice and patience. There are many techniques and strategies you can use. A little experimenting is a good thing. Try setting aside fifteen minutes a day for the next week. Pick a comfortable quiet spot and grab your Bible. If you have a favorite Scripture passage, open your Bible. Or you could pick a Psalm. Come to God with your desire to hear God’s voice. Read a verse or two of Scripture. Then ask a question and sit in silence for a bit. After a while, images and songs, pictures or Scriptures may come to mind. Sit with these things and keep listening. Watch as God makes God’s voice known. For a detailed easy-to-follow guidance, try “Hearing God’s Voice: The Ultimate Practical Guide” at https://dudedisciple.com/hearing-gods-voice/
The View from Mt. Hope 