John 10:4 - Knowing Gods Voice.
John 10:4 (NIV) When he has brought out all
his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep
follow him because they know his voice.
John 10:4 (NLT) After he has gathered his
own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they
follow him because they know his voice.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Does God still speak to people today? Is
He interested in what happens to us as
individuals? Does He really have a master plan for our
lives?
God truly is interested in us as
individuals. He does have a master plan for our lives,
and He does want to speak to us. Jesus described
Himself as our Good Shepherd. And as His sheep, we
can hear and recognize His voice.
So how can we know when it is God
speaking? First, we need to remember that God
primarily speaks to us through His Word, and He will
never lead us in a way that contradicts that Word.
We don't have to go any further than the Bible
to know the will of God for our lives.
God also speaks through circumstances
that can include failure or even hardship. We
don't enjoy it when God speaks to us through
tragedy and hardship, but as C. S. Lewis said, "God
whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our
conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone
to rouse a deaf world."
Often I have found that if something is
the will of God, then it will be confirmed.
There are times when I feel the Lord has been
speaking to me through circumstances, such as an
opportunity that has opened up. But I never make
decisions by looking at circumstances alone.
Lastly, God speaks to us through His
peace. Colossians 3:15 tells us, "Let the peace of
God rule in your hearts." God is the author of
peace, not of confusion.
Maybe we hear the voice of God more often
than we think. Then again, maybe we're not giving
Him the opportunity to speak. Today would be a
good day to take your Bible and get alone with
Him, away from the noise and confusion, and ask,
"Lord, what do you have to say to me today? I am
listening!" [Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie]
COMMENTARY
This theme is repeated frequently by Jesus.
The relationship of an Eastern shepherd with his
sheep was personal. The shepherd knew each sheep
by name, as an individual. He led, rather than
herded, the sheep. The sheep also recognized their
protector, and responded to his voice. Their hearing
was acute enough that if another tried to mimic
his voice, they became frightened. Theres
another implication here too. At night typically
four or five herds of sheep were gathered
together in a protected area or sheepfold. In the
morning, when a shepherd called, his sheep responded
to his voice and separated themselves from the
herd! It was response to the shepherds voice
that identified his sheep from hundreds of other
sheep who might have looked just like them to the
casual observer. Today too those who hear the
Gospel, and recognize in it the voice of God calling
to them, respond. It is our response to Jesus
that identifies us as His sheep. [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary]
This passage from John tells us important
things about the shepherd-sheep relationship. The
shepherd calls his sheep by name and leads them out;
he goes before them, preparing the way and
protecting them from harm. When he speaks to them, they
follow him because they know his voice. These
verses remind us that because sheep are in such an
intimate relationship with the shepherd and spend so
much time with him, they can discern the
difference between their shepherd's voice and that of a
stranger and won't be deceived, So it is with us. As
we commune more with Jesus, our Good Shepherd,
and become familiar with his voice, we will not
be deceived by the voice of the enemy; we will
not be distracted or derailed by the myriad
other voices in the world around us. As the song
says, we will hear our shepherd more clearly and
follow him more nearly, not just in the
extraordinary times but day by day. [Praying Through The
Bible By Fuller re John 10:2-4]
Hearing God
Who can hear from God? Does He only speak
to the spiritually elite among us, or can every
believer have a conversational relationship with Him?
I spent many years practicing Christianity
without ever being taught that I could hear from
God. I talked to Him, mostly when I needed
something, but it never occurred to me that He might
want to say something back.
Thankfully, I have since learned that we
can and should hear from God. He has no desire
to give us minute-by-minute instructions about
every choice we make, but He speaks to us
regularly and we need to expect to hear Him. Education
is vital in any area, and especially so in this
one. I have read several books on the subject and
I have also written one, but I am reading
another right now because of how important it is.
God, of course, speaks through His Word.
The Bible is God speaking to us! He speaks
through circumstances, people, peace, wisdom, and
nature, just to mention a few of the ways we can
learn to perceive what He is saying. We don't
normally hear God with our natural ears; we hear Him
in our spirit through the still, small voice.
We may discern, perceive, or know with
certainty what God is communicating to us and yet not
hear a voice. Or, if we do hear words, they often
sound like our own voice because our mind is
interpreting what our spirit knows.
If this is a new thought for you, I
encourage you to study diligently in this area. There
are people who do ridiculous and even wicked
things claiming that God has told them to do so,
but we should not let their sinful behavior
frighten us and keep us from a wonderful privilege
that is available to us. Learning to listen is
the first rule of hearing. When you talk to God
today, take a little time and listen. Let Him
comfort you, sense His peace, and hear Him tell you
that He loves you greatly.
Father, I am sorry that 1 have spent so
little time listening to You. I want to hear from
You, and I believe it is Your will for me to do
so. Teach me in this area. I am eager to learn.
[My Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
People who have a disability and can no
longer use their hands can still compose and edit
text with a voice-activation dictating program on
their computer. You begin by saying, Listen to
me!" and the microphone comes alive. Then, when
you speak naturally and smoothly, your words
flow across the screen. This program is virtually
mistake-proof and can be trained to recognize your voice -
and your voice only. To the limit of its
abilities, it will obey all your commands. Oh, that we
Christians were more like this in listening to the
Lord. In today's Scripture, Jesus says, "My sheep
listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow
me." We must train ourselves in godliness so we
can quickly and decisively recognize our
Shepherd's voice. When He speaks, we move. When His
Spirit nudges, we respond. With an investment of
time in prayer and the Word, you'll soon
recognize every nuance of the Shepherd's voice.
Lord Jesus, I do want to learn how to
hear You better and respond to Your direction
more quickly. I know very well that this is where
freedom lies - and great peace of heart. Teach me to
listen today and obey, dear Shepherd. [A Spectacle
of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry
Libby] John 10:3-5; 27-28 (NKJV)
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
John 10:27 - The Voice of God.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210720-0859.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
