“And the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice.” John 10:4
Recently, I heard of a tourist in the Middle East who paid a shepherd to exchange clothes with him, and see if this verse is really true. Imagine this-the shepherd is dressed like a tourist, and the tourist is dressed like a shepherd, and both men go out and begin to call the sheep. As you’ve already guessed, the sheep ran to the shepherd, and away from the tourist. Why? Because they had spent enough time with the shepherd to know his voice. What a lesson for you and me today. The burning desire of your heart, indeed the quest of your life should be, to know His voice-and that takes time spent in His presence. Nothing else will do it! Listen to what Jesus said: “He calleth His own sheep by name” (John 10:3). He knows your name. He has a plan for your life, and a destiny that was scheduled before you breathed your first breath.
Listen again to Jesus: “He leads them out” (John 10:3). That’s not easy! Leaving the familiar for the unknown. Learning to stop seeing people as your supply. Trusting Him alone to meet your every need. Learning to stop using your head, and start using your faith. Don’t implement your own plan and then ask Him to bless it. Don’t kick doors open, or try to make it happen! Jesus said, “He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him, because they know His voice (John 10:4, NIV). Did you hear that? He’s already gone before you! And when you get there, you’ll discover that everything has been worked out.
