Do you know the voice of God? Would you know if it was the enemy speaking to you or even your own heart? Jesus said that one of the benefits of belonging to Him is that we know His voice. But that doesn’t just happen. So, how do we grow in our ability to hear His voice?
Today’s Readings:
1 Kings 3 & 4
Psalm 68.15-20
Proverbs 17.10-12
John 10.1-23
Knowing the Voice of God
John 10.1-23:
Knowing & Following
Here in chapter 10, in one of His seven “I am” statements, Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd” (v. 11). But Jesus didn’t just make that claim. He explained the proof and the benefits.
The Proof
Jesus compared a true shepherd with a mere hired hand. He said a shepherd lays down his life for the sheep but a hired hand, someone who isn’t truly invested, runs off when trouble comes. Five times in this passage He said He lays down His life for His sheep (vv. 11, 15, 17, 18). He was primarily speaking of the cross where He would lay down His life for our eternal salvation. But, if all that wasn’t enough, as the Good Shepherd, He also looks out for us when Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy (v. 10).
The Benefits
So, what are the benefits? The benefits are salvation, security, and His loving care (v. 9). He promises us an abundant life, not just in heaven, but here and now (v. 10).
But that abundance is not what some claim. That is riches and a problem-free life. In fact, it’s something much better. It’s kingdom living including peace, joy, and confidence in His care. It’s the assurance of our salvation. It, also, means that we know Him and He knows us (vv. 4-8, 14, 14). We have a relationship with the Creator of the universe, the Savior of our souls.
Part of that “knowing” is recognizing His voice. In verse 4 He said:
And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
As we follow Christ, by reading His Word and obeying His commandments, we grow in our ability to “know His voice” and by contrast to recognize the voice of a stranger (Satan, v. 5). We become more and more discerning about the truth and recognize the enemy’s lies.
Knowing the Bible isn’t enough though, we must also “follow” the truth that we know. Knowledge without doing doesn’t bring a deeper knowing, it brings delusion (Jas. 1.22).
Is That You, God?
So, how can we know if we are hearing from God? Go to the Bible. What does it say about your situation or potential decision in His Word? God will not lead us contrary to His written Word (Tit. 1.2).
If we are one of His, we can know His voice, but the more time we spend reading and meditating on His Truth, the more clearly we will know and the more we will recognize a voice that is not His.
God will sometimes speak truth to us through sermons and other teachings, through our consciences, through people, and even through circumstances, as well. But if it is Him, it will never contradict His written Word.
Today’s Other Readings:
1 Kings 3 & 4:
Do You Need Wisdom?
But even though we are His sheep and we know His voice, not everything is addressed specifically in Scripture. Should I buy this car or that one? Take that job or another? While there can be specific biblical commands involved in these decisions, sometimes they are wisdom issues.
In chapter 3, God appears to Solomon in a dream and gives him a blank check to request anything he wants. Instead of wealth, fame, or any material blessing, Solomon asks for wisdom to rule the kingdom.
God still invites us to ask for wisdom and gives it freely to those who do.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (Jas. 1.5).
Just another benefit of belonging to Him.
Psalm 68.15-20:
Loaded with Blessings
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah (v. 19).
Even when we encounter tests and trials, they are always mixed with God’s blessings, if we will but look for them.
Proverbs 17.10-12:
How the Wise Respond to Correction
Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool (v. 10).
When a wise man is rebuked he takes it to heart (it goes deep) and he responds quickly, unlike the fool who has to be beaten over and over before he gets it.
What About You? Questions to Ponder or Journal:
Do you remember to ask God for His wisdom when you’re faced with decisions?
Do you know God’s voice or do you ever wonder if it’s the devil trying to get you off track?
Is there some area where you have refused to follow Him? Some area where you are a hearer and not a doer of the Word? If so, repent, ask God to forgive you, and step out in obedience.
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about whether we can lose our salvation, how fools don’t even have a desire for wisdom, co-signing loans, and the dangers wealth and education can pose.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our YouTube channel.
And if this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
2 Comments
Leave your reply.