Day 4 - The Voice of the Shepherd
Day 4 - The Voice of the Shepherd
Written by: Pat Hardin
SCRIPTURE
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, ESV)
DEVOTIONAL
This is an interesting verse that means much more than it appears at first glance. Jesus refers to us, His followers, as sheep. We know that sheep are dumb, smelly, and tend to wander off when given the slightest opportunity. Sounds like a lot of people I know, including me! How about you? The word Jesus uses for “hear” means to listen intently, to understand, and to obey what is discerned. That affects the meaning of this verse profoundly, especially when you consider what Jesus means when He says, “I know them.”
The word in the ancient Greek is “ginosko” and in this instance it means to know and intimately. Jesus is informing us that He has always known us, that He knows us better than we know ourselves, and that He is with us through thick and thin. This is why we follow Him. Perhaps you are wondering what degree of following is indicated by this verse? The type of following that was demonstrated by the twelve apostles, not the type indicated by the crowds that were following Jesus to hear His preaching or to attend His healing services. There were thousands who participated in the Sermon on the Mount, the different miraculous feedings, and the casting out of demons. However, there were only twelve who were with Jesus every day and who lived with Him during His time of ministry on earth. Jesus is teaching us that we have the same level of intimacy and knowledge with Him that the apostles had when we follow Him.
I have seen a shepherd attending to his sheep, and I have heard him call them by name. Incredibly, I have watched the sheep respond to his commands in obedience. I remember one of the sheep trying to eat out of a neighbor’s garden as they were traveling home, and the shepherd yelled loudly and swatted at the offender. This prompted an immediate change of direction as the sheep followed the original command to return home. I find it amazing that Jesus used this illustration to explain how He sees us, and how He expects us to follow Him.
There are two questions we ask often here at the Grove, “What is God saying to you?” and “What are you going to do about it?” I believe Jesus cares how we answer those questions because our response indicates if we trust Him and follow Him. I believe God is yelling at those of us who have wandered away, and is telling us to come together as the Body of Christ and unite ourselves in prayer. As we pray, we seek to hear God’s voice calling us to share His love and redemption through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. If the pandemic keeps us from praying together in person, will we find a way to pray together another way? Why not gather with your friends from your community group or serve team on the phone, on Zoom, or on FaceTime to pray together for the needs of our church family? Remember the promise found in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” I think this promise covers virtual meetings as well as in-person gatherings.
ACTION STEP
Contact 2 or 3 friends and ask if they will join you in prayer for the needs of our church family and our community. Suggest meeting physically or virtually and plan a time to pray. Even if you are unable to meet with others, explore options like praying independently at the same time every day with your prayer partners.
PRAYER TIME
Pray for those in our church family that are experiencing illness related to the newest strain of the Coronavirus. Ask God for healing, for restoration, and for unity in the family.
Father, I pray that we will listen intently and discern your voice as You speak to us about Your will for us, our church family, and our community. We humbly ask you to heal our friends and family as they struggle with Covid-19 and its effects. We praise You for the promise of Your presence and believe that You care for us and our well-being. Please unite our church family and use us to reach our community with Your love, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, ESV)
DEVOTIONAL
This is an interesting verse that means much more than it appears at first glance. Jesus refers to us, His followers, as sheep. We know that sheep are dumb, smelly, and tend to wander off when given the slightest opportunity. Sounds like a lot of people I know, including me! How about you? The word Jesus uses for “hear” means to listen intently, to understand, and to obey what is discerned. That affects the meaning of this verse profoundly, especially when you consider what Jesus means when He says, “I know them.”
The word in the ancient Greek is “ginosko” and in this instance it means to know and intimately. Jesus is informing us that He has always known us, that He knows us better than we know ourselves, and that He is with us through thick and thin. This is why we follow Him. Perhaps you are wondering what degree of following is indicated by this verse? The type of following that was demonstrated by the twelve apostles, not the type indicated by the crowds that were following Jesus to hear His preaching or to attend His healing services. There were thousands who participated in the Sermon on the Mount, the different miraculous feedings, and the casting out of demons. However, there were only twelve who were with Jesus every day and who lived with Him during His time of ministry on earth. Jesus is teaching us that we have the same level of intimacy and knowledge with Him that the apostles had when we follow Him.
I have seen a shepherd attending to his sheep, and I have heard him call them by name. Incredibly, I have watched the sheep respond to his commands in obedience. I remember one of the sheep trying to eat out of a neighbor’s garden as they were traveling home, and the shepherd yelled loudly and swatted at the offender. This prompted an immediate change of direction as the sheep followed the original command to return home. I find it amazing that Jesus used this illustration to explain how He sees us, and how He expects us to follow Him.
There are two questions we ask often here at the Grove, “What is God saying to you?” and “What are you going to do about it?” I believe Jesus cares how we answer those questions because our response indicates if we trust Him and follow Him. I believe God is yelling at those of us who have wandered away, and is telling us to come together as the Body of Christ and unite ourselves in prayer. As we pray, we seek to hear God’s voice calling us to share His love and redemption through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. If the pandemic keeps us from praying together in person, will we find a way to pray together another way? Why not gather with your friends from your community group or serve team on the phone, on Zoom, or on FaceTime to pray together for the needs of our church family? Remember the promise found in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” I think this promise covers virtual meetings as well as in-person gatherings.
ACTION STEP
Contact 2 or 3 friends and ask if they will join you in prayer for the needs of our church family and our community. Suggest meeting physically or virtually and plan a time to pray. Even if you are unable to meet with others, explore options like praying independently at the same time every day with your prayer partners.
PRAYER TIME
Pray for those in our church family that are experiencing illness related to the newest strain of the Coronavirus. Ask God for healing, for restoration, and for unity in the family.
Father, I pray that we will listen intently and discern your voice as You speak to us about Your will for us, our church family, and our community. We humbly ask you to heal our friends and family as they struggle with Covid-19 and its effects. We praise You for the promise of Your presence and believe that You care for us and our well-being. Please unite our church family and use us to reach our community with Your love, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Posted in 28 Days of Prayer and Fasting
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January
January 9th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 10th, 2023 - The Burning BushJanuary 11th, 2023 - Strong and Courageous January 12th, 2023 - Obediently Set ApartJanuary 13th, 2023 - Faithful Among Enemy NationsJanuary 14th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 16th, 2023 - Be StillJanuary 17th, 2023 - God Inhabits His PraisesJanuary 18th, 2023 - Enjoying God's PresenceJanuary 19th, 2023 - Broken & Contrite HeartJanuary 20th, 2023 - Asking for OthersJanuary 21st, 2023 - Petition and ProvisionJanuary 23rd, 2023 - One Body, Many PartsJanuary 24th, 2023 - Love One AnotherJanuary 25th, 2023 - Unity in the BodyJanuary 26th, 2023 - Consider Others BetterJanuary 27th, 2023 - Living in the LightJanuary 28th, 2023 - Don't Let Anger Control YouJanuary 30, 2023 - The Power of FastingJanuary 31st, 2023 - Pray as You Can
February
February 1st, 2023 - ScriptureFebruary 2nd, 2023 - Sabbath Day, Best DayFebruary 3rd, 2023 - SimplicityFebruary 4th, 2023 - WorshipFebruary 6th, 2023 - Love Your NeighborFebruary 7th, 2023 - Come and See, Go and TellFebruary 8th, 2023 - GenerosityFebruary 9th, 2023 - Caring for the VulnerableFebruary 10, 2023 - HospitalityFebruary 11th, 2023 - Build
2022
January
Covid UpdateDay 1 - Is It Worth It?Day 2 - God Promises His PresenceDay 3 - Aligning Ourselves With GodDay 4 - The Voice of the ShepherdVision 2022 - Begins this Sunday!Day 5 - Rushing or Resting?Day 6 - "By the Grace of God"Day 7 - A Day for Rest and WorshipDay 8 - Ask Boldly and Surrender CompletelyDay 9 - Our Deliverance for His GloryDay 10 - Ask for the ImpossibleDay 11 - Adversity Meets Unwavering FaithWhat an incredible start to 2022!!Day 12 - Focus Reveals FaithDay 13 - Impossible Mission!Day 15 - Followers of JesusDay 16 - The Good News of God’s LoveDay 17 - Radical Love Leads People to JesusLet's Try this Again...Day 18 - Relentless CommitmentDay 19 - Unending Power SourceDay 20 - Come and See, Go and TellDay 22 - Many Parts, One BodyDay 23 - A New Command - Love One AnotherDay 24 - One Body and One LordDay 25 - Be Angry, But Do Not SinDo you Belong?Day 26 - The Commandment of LoveDay 27 - The Attitude and Obedience of Christ
March
Day 1 - Seeking the Lord TogetherDay 2 - Ash WednesdayDay 3 - The Baptism of JesusDay 4 - The Word as a WeaponDay 5 - Freedom in ConfessionDay 6 - Love Your EnemiesDay 7 - Anxious for NothingDay 8 - Effective PrayerDay 9 - Amazing FaithDay 10 - The Bleeding WomanDay 11 - Confidence in GodDay 12 - Fear Not!Day 13 - Come and RestDay 14 - Kingdom Minded CommunityDay 15 - The TreasureDay 16 - Peace in His PresenceDay 17 - Raise the RoofDay 18 - A Parent's CommitmentDay 19 - Too Good to be TrueDay 20 - Only JesusDay 21 - The Ninety-Nine and the OneDay 22 - Salvation Through SurrenderDay 23 - Good Rest from a Good ShepherdDay 24 - Read the RoomDay 25 - A Fruitful FaithDay 26 - The Wedding FeastDay 27 - Serve Like Jesus