When our youngest daughter was about 6 months old, she would cry when she was dropped off at the nursery at church. A pretty common occurrence for babies and children to cry when their parents leave them. They usually stop after a while, or once they get involved in another activity. Kudos to all the nursery workers and teachers that help these sweet ones get through this time in their life.
On Sunday nights, my husband and I would teach the preschool children so we would drop off Delaney in the nursery. I always told them if she didn’t stop crying to bring her back to me. I remember one particular Sunday night, I was teaching the children a Bible lesson and the nursery worker brought her back in her car seat. Since I was teaching, they just brought her into the room and set her down. I kept teaching and she stopped crying. Why? Because she heard my voice. I didn’t have to pick her up or give her any attention. She knew everything was going to be okay because she could hear my voice.
How comforting the sound of someone’s voice is. When we are separated from a loved one, it is nice to be able to talk with them via the phone so we can hear their voice.
I was reminded of this as I read John 10: 3, 4 “…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.”
As believers, we are God’s sheep.
There is a lot of noise and confusion in the world. There are a lot of voices vying for our attention, and we have a choice of who we will listen to. The better we know our shepherd, the better we will listen to Him.
God does not speak to us in an audible voice. He gave us the Bible to speak to us. “He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” (II Peter 1:3). God does not speak to us audibly, but everything that He has said that we need is in His Word.
Does God’s Word provide you comfort? Does God’s Word give you direction? When you have a choice what do you listen to?
Delaney knew my voice. She didn’t in that moment see me, she heard me. How many think that they need to see God in order to believe in Him? Delaney didn’t have to see me, she knew me because of my voice. My voice provided comfort and peace to her.
Is there an inner turmoil that you feel? Does your mind feel confused or in a haze at times because of what lies before you?
“The sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.” (John 10:4). Do you know God’s Word? Whenever there is a decision to be made, do you go to God and His Word looking for clear direction? The sheep follow God, because they know His voice. How eager are you to know the voice of God? Do you spend time in His word not just reading it but memorizing it? Can you quote His word like the lyrics to the songs you hear on the radio?
Delaney knew my voice. Amongst all the other voices that she heard on that particular Sunday night, it was my voice that brought her comfort. There are many voices trying to provide you “comfort,” but is only God’s voice that will provide you with true peace and comfort.
John 10: 3, 4 “…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.”
(When Delaney was four, she was a sheep in our children’s Christmas play. So appropriate to use this picture for this blog:)
