My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (NKJV)
Many radio and television stations transmit twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; but we only hear them when we turn the receiver on and tune it in. Failure to hear the signal does not mean that the station is not transmitting. Likewise, God is constantly transmitting His voice to His sheep, but few are tuned in.
The prophet Elijah had an awesome encounter with God, and it happened at the lowest moment in his life. The story, in 1 Kings 19, begins with the prophet hiding in a cave.
“Elijah, why are you here?” the Lord asked.
Exhausted, Elijah explained, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.
Elijah was ready to call it quits. But the Lord asked him to do something. He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain. I want you to see me when I pass by.”
Elijah obeyed. But before he could step out of the cave, a mighty windstorm hit the mountainside. But the Lord was not in the wind, or the violent earthquake that followed. He wasn’t in the fire that rained from heaven after that. Instead, “there was the sound of a gentle whisper”. Elijah knew it was the Lord. He got up, wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
The gentle voice asked Elijah the same question as before: “Elijah, why are you here?”
Elijah repeated his earlier answer.
Then, the Lord gave Elijah further instructions for ministry and assured him he wasn’t on his own.
To hear someone’s whisper, you need to be near. Whispering does not work very well if you’re speaking to someone who’s standing on the other side of the room. God doesn’t want a long-distance relationship; He wants a close, intimate one. Jesus said:
“…he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice…. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:4,27 (NKJV)
Learning to clearly distinguish God’s voice is invaluable. Jesus said regarding His sheep that they will not follow the voice of the stranger.
Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. John 10:5 (NKJV)
Whose voice are you following? Are you tuned in to God’s voice?
Listen for GOD’S voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:6 (MSG)
Jesus says in Revelation 3:20:
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 (ESVUK)
Isaiah states:
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)