Are You Listening for His Voice?

My Sheep Listen to My Voice

We love watching our grandkids play ball. So much so that when we arrived home last night after a long week-end of travel I went straight to the ball field. There are so many parents, grandparents and other adults encouraging the kids to run, throw and hit. Sometimes it gets loud and sometimes it gets, well, let’s say interesting. As we were discussing the merits of ball play and how well the grandsons played, our 6 year old grandson told his mother that the coach said “listen for my voice. I’ll tell you what to do.” He wanted my grandson to be sure and listen, especially since he was playing pitcher. While there were lots of choices as to which base to throw the ball or which get to try to get out, the coach knew best. Blake listened to him and the game was awesome.

God wants you to know that He is always ready to coach you through life. Many, many voices will call out to you trying to get you to do this or do that. It will get confusing but if you listen for the Lord and lean in to hear His voice, He promises to guide you into all truth. He wants you to know that while other voices may have good ideas, He wants to coach you to greatness. Not as the world sees great, but the greatness of being a committed believer in Him. Christ went to the cross so that you can have full access to God, to hear His voice, and walk in wisdom and knowledge and power. The Holy Spirit is your inner Voice, showing you what is wrong, correcting your errors and moving you on to victory. 

Oh beloved, it’s been a long inning. You feel as though you’ve had three strikes and you’re about to be out. Life has thrown you curve balls, knuckle balls and you know you’ve been swinging at sliders you could not hit. It’s time to go to the dugout and let God speak to your heart. Get away from the noise of the field of life if you need to and tarry until you’ve gotten connected with the Lord again. He will never lead you to defeat. He will never curse you or lie to you or expect you to live with things that aren’t right. He will direct your path so that you can live victoriously and have complete knowledge of His will. You can trust Him – He knows exactly what happens to you, where the hit came from and how to stop you from being ruined. You are on His team and you have a wonderful life ahead because your Coach is the King of the Universe. Stop looking around, quit listening to the nay sayers or the enemy’s taunts. You are not out, you are not on the third strike – you are about to be set free to round the plates and win! Raise your arms in praise and thank the Lord as you follow His instructions and take the victory lap.

God loves you and He’s for you. That’s why you are safe to shut out all other voices and listen only to God. Your life is already a win-win situation because He is your Coach for life.

John 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 

Hebrews 3:15 while it is said, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me.”

Psalm 85:8 I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for He speaks peace to His faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

There is One Who Will Always Listen

 

Remember back in the day when the large discount stores would have blue light and red light specials?  Someone would speak into the intercom, “Attention customers, blue light special in aisle 7” or some such call to action.  Sure enough people who leave their regular shopping plans and file to the area where the light was revolving. Surely there was something that none of us could live without.  As soon as the temporary sale was over, the light would be turned off and everyone would disappear back into the store to continue shopping. 

Little children as well love to call out, “Attention everybody!”  This is a call for family to rally around as they do some cute cartwheel or make a speech that just melts the heart.  Even if it’s funny, the adults will take it seriously and play close consideration. All listeners lean in close to hear a child’s message.  Afterwards, hugs will go around as everyone delights in the child’s story.  Children enjoy the attention of their family.  It’s important to them to be recognized and appreciated for their unique abilities. 

Everyone wants attention.  There are times when you may even wish you had a light shining or a bell to ring.  You’ve heard some wonderful news and you can’t wait to share it. You dial a phone only to find no answer. You try tell your spouse or another loved one, but they’re busy. You may live alone without the comfort of another human being to share your life with.  You may feel that no one cares, or that there’s no one to listen as you so desperately want to share.

Oh beloved! There is One Who will listen to your joyful stories. There is One Who is always listening for you to share the wonders of your day. The Lord Himself, Maker of Heaven and Earth, doesn’t need you to shine a light or blow a horn! He hears you! In fact, He listens before you call out to Him.  He’s never too busy, He’s ready in an instant and He applauds your triumphs! When things are hard and you’re not sure where to turn, He is there as well. You reach out and find that God is your ever present comfort because His Word says so.  While others may not give you the time of day, God is your Audience of One. And with an audience like the Father, who needs anyone else? 

Run to Him this morning and share your day’s plans. He loves for you to include Him! And then in the evening, when the day is done, you can come to Him again and He’s not too tired, distracted or worn out, ever.  He will always listen, He will always applaud you, He will always be on your side to comfort, to enjoy and to reveal His love to your heart. His Word is your megaphone and when you call out to Him, He always responds. Why? Because He loves you and He’s on your side no matter what. And that’s worth seeking His face and rejoicing in His presence.

Psalm 116:2 Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!

Isaiah 40:28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord delights in His people…”

Psalm 139:2 You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

Psalm 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.