“My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (MSG)
I love the sounds of my family’s voices. I couldn’t wait until my kids began talking so I could hear the unique tones of their chirpy child-chatter.
While I have to admit I’m not thrilled when those sounds fizzle into whining, and I relish the quiet after my young ones and their vocalizations are put to bed for the night, I adore the tones I recognize as Paxton’s and Calianne’s. And my husband’s voice is home to me, the one I waited thirty years to hear for the rest of my life.
I also love knowing that Jesus recognizes their voices and mine from among the gazillions He knows throughout the millennia. This morning I’m wondering what Jesus’ voice sounds like. Words that come to mind include peaceful, strong, gentle, firm, confident, reassuring, soothing, healing, convicting, heavenly, hope, final… forever.
When He worships His heavenly Father, surely it’s more breathtaking than anything my mind can conceive. He wants us to know His voice from among the others that call to us. He spoke of His followers not just knowing His voice, but trusting it enough to follow, like sheep with their shepherd. We trust because we know the Person behind the voice. Do you recognize Jesus speaking to you?
Consider the effects of His voice in comparison with others. If what you’re hearing is confusion, it isn’t His because He is Lord of peace and order (1 Corinthians 14:33). If you’re hearing condemnation, that isn’t from Him either, because He convicts His followers in order to grow us, whereas Satan criticizes to destroy (John 8:42–47; 1 Peter 5:8). Fear? Not Jesus’ voice either, because He is perfect love who drives out fear (1 John 4:18). I pray Jesus will help me hear accurately.
Faith step: Make a list of several effects of God’s voice and then a list of corresponding but opposite effects of Satan’s voice (ex: God’s voice soothes; Satan’s voice panics; comforts vs. worries; leads vs. pushes; forgives vs. accuses).
