Sheep can be quite skittish. They’re a prey animal so they’re always on the lookout for danger. It takes quite a little work in order for sheep to really trust anyone or anything. It is their only real means of defense.
I check on the flock regularly for health issues as well as to feed them. During lambing season I spend a LOT of time out with the flock. They know me and I know them. They recognize my voice. They know they belong in my flock and they follow me. There is peace.
“After He has gathered His own flock, He walks ahead of them, and they follow Him because they know His voice.” John 10:4 (NLT)
When a stranger walks out to look at or visit the sheep there is a different reaction. They become very uneasy. They bunch up and retreat to a safe place. It’s especially noticeable if the stranger speaks. Peace is not found in that instance.
“They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” John 10:5 (NLT)
There are many voices calling to us in this world. Many of these voices we don’t know and we can’t really understand. This is because God has called us to be HIS, to listen for His voice alone.
Jesus calls us to follow Him. Do you know His voice? He promises in John 10:28 “I will give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
Today, listen for God’s voice. He wants to have a relationship with you. You can trust and follow Him!
