“The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
(John 10:3–4, ESV)
(John 10:3–4, ESV)
In a documentary on present-day sheep farms, I was amazed at the shepherding dogs. They lived among the sheep. They protected the sheep. They helped watch over the sheep. They often slept with the sheep. For centuries it has been like this. What has changed in modern times was the purpose of a shepherd.
When sheep are raised on many modern farms today, they often are monitored by electronics, protected by electrified fences, and watched over by cameras and drones. The sheep live on carefully fenced and curated pieces of land and are identified by a number tattooed in their ears. Computers often are used to tell when the sheep (known by a number) are ready to be born, sheared, or slaughtered. The personal shepherd on these modern farms no longer exists in a manner like in olden times. Often, the sheep are never even named. Unless they are raised on a small farm or using “ancient” methods, the owner can’t tell one sheep from another.
In New Testament times, shepherding was common in Bible lands. The livelihood that came from raising sheep could supply a family with food, clothing, and a stable life. Sheep were precious to the farmer and his family. In the meditational work, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus, the following explanation of the work of a New Testament era shepherd was offered:
“The shepherd of Jesus’ day raised his sheep primarily in the Judean uplands. The countryside was rocky, hilly, and filled with deep crevices and ravines. Patches of grass were sparse. So the shepherd had to establish a personal, working relationship with each sheep, developing its love and trust in him to lead it to where the path was the smoothest, the pasture was the greenest, the water was the cleanest, and the nights were the safest. The shepherd always led the sheep. He gave each one a name, and when he called them, they recognized his voice and followed. Their personal relationship with him was based on his voice, which they knew and trusted.” (p. 83, Anne Graham Lotz)
Thus, the New Testament era shepherd was intimately knowledgeable about those precious sheep under his care. He named them, knew their needs, watched over each, and knew their life cycles. He knew when they looked sickly. He knew when they were ready to be sheared. He knew when they were dying.
Jesus was familiar with the relationship between shepherd and sheep. In John 10:3, Jesus remarked that “The sheep hear [the shepherd’s] voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” From His words, Jesus understood that the sheep recognized their personal shepherd. The sheep knew when their name was called. The shepherd led them to fresh food and ample water, especially important in the rocky areas around Judea. Added to this, Jesus mentioned that the sheep followed the shepherd because “they know his voice” (John 10:4). They have learned from growing up with their personal shepherd to discern his voice and trust his leading.
“Our relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is also based on His Voice. He speaks to us through the written words of our Bible. Listen for His Voice as you read His Word. Then follow Him.” (p. 83, Fix Your Eyes on Jesus). With this knowledge, I am led to ask you today some important follow-up questions. Do you personally know Jesus’ voice? Do you know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you? Do you recognize God’s leading in your life?
As I was considering how God has spoken to me over the years, I was inspired to ask Google AI the following question, “How do you know when God is speaking to you?” The answer was not far off the mark. Its response was, “You know God is speaking to you through a combination of factors, including a deep sense of inner peace and conviction, the confirmation of His message through Scripture, and the alignment of circumstances with His Word. Other signs include repetition of a message, guidance through closed doors or opportunities, and the ability to discern His voice through prayer and the counsel of other believers.”
Over the years, I have found that the closer I became with God in Christ, the easier it was to discern God’s voice in my day, the Holy Spirit’s leading in my prayers, and Jesus’ calling out to me. Just as a sheep learns to differentiate the shepherds voice with time, I learned to separate out God’s voice from all others.
After feeling God’s call in prayer, I followed His leading. The more I followed that voice of God, the more I found blessings occurring, wisdom gained, and revelations abounded. In worship, I felt a pull to be closer to God and often found myself reflecting on God’s work or God’s action. As I read scripture, I felt the words had greater meaning as if God was speaking directly to me. This was the work of the Holy Spirit reaching out to me through the Bible. As my prayer life grew, I found myself meditating on scripture, and would often be led to insight, spurred to action, or inspired by a new revelation. When I followed the leading voice of God, I was able to find answers to life’s questions, be led to places and people who inspired me, and spurred to reach out in mission. Each time I followed God’s voice, I found blessings and inspiration and revelation. When I erred by following other voices, I was let down or led astray. The more I listened for God, the more I found God speaking. The more I found God speaking, the more I saw God’s hand in my world.
In the book of Judges, there are found stories of the life of Gideon. Early in his life, Gideon wondered if God was speaking to him. He wanted to be sure it was God’s voice calling him to defend Israel against the warring Midianites and Amalekites who had aligned with other peoples from the East (Judges 6:33). One day while praying, Gideon asked God to make a bit of fleece wet with dew the next day in order to prove God calling Gideon. That night, Gideon put down the fleece on a threshing floor. The next morning, the fleece was very wet with dew. Needing to be sure of God’s call, Gideon then asked if God would make the fleece dry while there was dew all around it. This also occurred. Convinced of God’s call, Gideon led the people in the defense of Israel.
I am not advocating you put fleece on the ground to test if God is speaking to you! This meditation is, however, challenging you to search out and listen for God’s voice. Since God is alive and active in this world, you can not only see the works of HIS hand, but you can also discern HIS voice calling to you. Look for the Holy Spirit to fill an old scripture with new meaning, so to direct your steps. Look for Jesus’ words to guide your thoughts and challenge worldly wisdom. Look for the Heavenly Father to direct your heart and soul as you pray to HIM. Notice little coincidences occurring in your life to remind You of His presence.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask God to speak directly to you. Then, watch out! You will notice little coincidences pop up in your day. A scripture that never really spoke to you before will suddenly influence your decision. While you are pondering some direction, people who know nothing of your talks with God will say things that relate directly to your situation. If you have a need, help will come out of nowhere. Prayers will suddenly get answered. You will see more clearly what is required of you.
There are so many ways God speaks. If you watch and listen for God’s voice, in time you will discern it if you are willing to obediently follow God’s will. And finally, remember that the heavenly Good Shepherd knows your name! He knows where you are. He knows your needs. He will call to you. Therefore, listen for HIS voice!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
In moments of indecision, help me to heed Your voice, Heavenly Father! Speak to my mind! Let Your words break through my disobedient heart. May Your Holy Spirit influence my soul and guide me down paths of righteousness.
There have always been those who desired to manipulate the world. They endeavored to blot out Your voice and falsely play the Savior. Show me the Your truth. Reveal to me Your purpose and judgment. Let me not be led astray by false prophets or worldly passions.
Your voice has changed the course of history, dear Lord, my God! You spoke to Moses on the mountaintop. You sent angels to speak to lowly shepherds when Jesus was born. Your voice has influenced kings and prophets alike. Your voice continues to be heard by the faithful.
I pray today for those who have not heard Your voice. They have not sought out Your wisdom. They do not understand the role of Jesus in the salvation of many. They are easily dissuaded from doing what is right. They do not even know they are stumbling through life without Your guiding hand. They think they are so smart when they are really in the dark about so many things. Your Word brings life. Your Spirit feeds the soul. Your steadfast love has no equal! May lost souls be turned from their sins. May they find their way back to You!
I deeply regret those times when I did not heed Your voice. In weak moments, I did what I thought was right without consulting You. My missteps caused hurt, pain, and harm. My mistakes compounded the problems. I did not listen to You. Today, I want to listen for Your voice. I want You to direct my steps. May Your Holy Spirit speak to me in ways that make me listen!
In Jesus, I pray these things. Amen.
When sheep are raised on many modern farms today, they often are monitored by electronics, protected by electrified fences, and watched over by cameras and drones. The sheep live on carefully fenced and curated pieces of land and are identified by a number tattooed in their ears. Computers often are used to tell when the sheep (known by a number) are ready to be born, sheared, or slaughtered. The personal shepherd on these modern farms no longer exists in a manner like in olden times. Often, the sheep are never even named. Unless they are raised on a small farm or using “ancient” methods, the owner can’t tell one sheep from another.
In New Testament times, shepherding was common in Bible lands. The livelihood that came from raising sheep could supply a family with food, clothing, and a stable life. Sheep were precious to the farmer and his family. In the meditational work, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus, the following explanation of the work of a New Testament era shepherd was offered:
“The shepherd of Jesus’ day raised his sheep primarily in the Judean uplands. The countryside was rocky, hilly, and filled with deep crevices and ravines. Patches of grass were sparse. So the shepherd had to establish a personal, working relationship with each sheep, developing its love and trust in him to lead it to where the path was the smoothest, the pasture was the greenest, the water was the cleanest, and the nights were the safest. The shepherd always led the sheep. He gave each one a name, and when he called them, they recognized his voice and followed. Their personal relationship with him was based on his voice, which they knew and trusted.” (p. 83, Anne Graham Lotz)
Thus, the New Testament era shepherd was intimately knowledgeable about those precious sheep under his care. He named them, knew their needs, watched over each, and knew their life cycles. He knew when they looked sickly. He knew when they were ready to be sheared. He knew when they were dying.
Jesus was familiar with the relationship between shepherd and sheep. In John 10:3, Jesus remarked that “The sheep hear [the shepherd’s] voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” From His words, Jesus understood that the sheep recognized their personal shepherd. The sheep knew when their name was called. The shepherd led them to fresh food and ample water, especially important in the rocky areas around Judea. Added to this, Jesus mentioned that the sheep followed the shepherd because “they know his voice” (John 10:4). They have learned from growing up with their personal shepherd to discern his voice and trust his leading.
“Our relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is also based on His Voice. He speaks to us through the written words of our Bible. Listen for His Voice as you read His Word. Then follow Him.” (p. 83, Fix Your Eyes on Jesus). With this knowledge, I am led to ask you today some important follow-up questions. Do you personally know Jesus’ voice? Do you know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you? Do you recognize God’s leading in your life?
As I was considering how God has spoken to me over the years, I was inspired to ask Google AI the following question, “How do you know when God is speaking to you?” The answer was not far off the mark. Its response was, “You know God is speaking to you through a combination of factors, including a deep sense of inner peace and conviction, the confirmation of His message through Scripture, and the alignment of circumstances with His Word. Other signs include repetition of a message, guidance through closed doors or opportunities, and the ability to discern His voice through prayer and the counsel of other believers.”
Over the years, I have found that the closer I became with God in Christ, the easier it was to discern God’s voice in my day, the Holy Spirit’s leading in my prayers, and Jesus’ calling out to me. Just as a sheep learns to differentiate the shepherds voice with time, I learned to separate out God’s voice from all others.
After feeling God’s call in prayer, I followed His leading. The more I followed that voice of God, the more I found blessings occurring, wisdom gained, and revelations abounded. In worship, I felt a pull to be closer to God and often found myself reflecting on God’s work or God’s action. As I read scripture, I felt the words had greater meaning as if God was speaking directly to me. This was the work of the Holy Spirit reaching out to me through the Bible. As my prayer life grew, I found myself meditating on scripture, and would often be led to insight, spurred to action, or inspired by a new revelation. When I followed the leading voice of God, I was able to find answers to life’s questions, be led to places and people who inspired me, and spurred to reach out in mission. Each time I followed God’s voice, I found blessings and inspiration and revelation. When I erred by following other voices, I was let down or led astray. The more I listened for God, the more I found God speaking. The more I found God speaking, the more I saw God’s hand in my world.
In the book of Judges, there are found stories of the life of Gideon. Early in his life, Gideon wondered if God was speaking to him. He wanted to be sure it was God’s voice calling him to defend Israel against the warring Midianites and Amalekites who had aligned with other peoples from the East (Judges 6:33). One day while praying, Gideon asked God to make a bit of fleece wet with dew the next day in order to prove God calling Gideon. That night, Gideon put down the fleece on a threshing floor. The next morning, the fleece was very wet with dew. Needing to be sure of God’s call, Gideon then asked if God would make the fleece dry while there was dew all around it. This also occurred. Convinced of God’s call, Gideon led the people in the defense of Israel.
I am not advocating you put fleece on the ground to test if God is speaking to you! This meditation is, however, challenging you to search out and listen for God’s voice. Since God is alive and active in this world, you can not only see the works of HIS hand, but you can also discern HIS voice calling to you. Look for the Holy Spirit to fill an old scripture with new meaning, so to direct your steps. Look for Jesus’ words to guide your thoughts and challenge worldly wisdom. Look for the Heavenly Father to direct your heart and soul as you pray to HIM. Notice little coincidences occurring in your life to remind You of His presence.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask God to speak directly to you. Then, watch out! You will notice little coincidences pop up in your day. A scripture that never really spoke to you before will suddenly influence your decision. While you are pondering some direction, people who know nothing of your talks with God will say things that relate directly to your situation. If you have a need, help will come out of nowhere. Prayers will suddenly get answered. You will see more clearly what is required of you.
There are so many ways God speaks. If you watch and listen for God’s voice, in time you will discern it if you are willing to obediently follow God’s will. And finally, remember that the heavenly Good Shepherd knows your name! He knows where you are. He knows your needs. He will call to you. Therefore, listen for HIS voice!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
In moments of indecision, help me to heed Your voice, Heavenly Father! Speak to my mind! Let Your words break through my disobedient heart. May Your Holy Spirit influence my soul and guide me down paths of righteousness.
There have always been those who desired to manipulate the world. They endeavored to blot out Your voice and falsely play the Savior. Show me the Your truth. Reveal to me Your purpose and judgment. Let me not be led astray by false prophets or worldly passions.
Your voice has changed the course of history, dear Lord, my God! You spoke to Moses on the mountaintop. You sent angels to speak to lowly shepherds when Jesus was born. Your voice has influenced kings and prophets alike. Your voice continues to be heard by the faithful.
I pray today for those who have not heard Your voice. They have not sought out Your wisdom. They do not understand the role of Jesus in the salvation of many. They are easily dissuaded from doing what is right. They do not even know they are stumbling through life without Your guiding hand. They think they are so smart when they are really in the dark about so many things. Your Word brings life. Your Spirit feeds the soul. Your steadfast love has no equal! May lost souls be turned from their sins. May they find their way back to You!
I deeply regret those times when I did not heed Your voice. In weak moments, I did what I thought was right without consulting You. My missteps caused hurt, pain, and harm. My mistakes compounded the problems. I did not listen to You. Today, I want to listen for Your voice. I want You to direct my steps. May Your Holy Spirit speak to me in ways that make me listen!
In Jesus, I pray these things. Amen.