Tuesday, December 20
Hear and follow
Scripture: Habakkuk 1-3, John 10
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.
Observation
Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, and they know Him, recognize His voice and follow. The metaphor, which would have been easily understood in that culture, is all about relationship. A shepherd knew his sheep and they knew the shepherd and recognized his voice. Many flocks could share a sheepfold because when the shepherd called, his sheep recognized his voice and followed. They didn’t follow anyone else.
This is how Jesus pictured His relationship with us. He knows us and we know Him. We know His voice and we follow.
Application
“I pray and I obey.” This was how Paul Yongghi Cho described his relationship with Jesus and his ministry (he led the world’s largest church at the time). I pray and I obey. I hear and I follow.
This is a good description of what it means to be a Christian: I hear and follow. I know Jesus and I listen to Him and do what He says.
We hear His voice in God’s word—which is why I read every day and listen for what He is saying to me. Then…go do it…or at least make an honest effort!
We hear His voice in prayer when we take time not only to tell, but ask and be still.
We hear His voice during the day through other people, in nature, in life. “The universe crackles with the sound of God’s voice.” (Adam McHugh from The Listening Life)
Today, I want to walk with Jesus, listen for His voice and follow—do what He says.
Prayer: I love you Jesus. My life is so filled with noise, with other voices, that sometimes I struggle to hear Yours. Help me know You so well that Your voice stands out above the din. And help me all through the day to be still and quiet and listen. Then…follow.