John 10:3-4 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Do you get frustrated from time to time when an old friend calls and puts you through the agony of guessing who it is? If the caller is someone I haven't spoken to in a long time, I may not be able to link the voice with a face. On the other hand, I quickly recognize the voice of those people I speak with regularly. Usually, all they have to say is hello, and in that instant I know who's calling. [Of course caller ID helps as well.]
The same is true when God speaks to us. If we're in touch with Him frequently, if we often sense Him speaking to our hearts, we know instantly that it is God's voice we hear. But if we don't listen for it, if it's been a long time since we were quiet enough to hear Him speaking to us, we may not recognize what's happening. [Caller ID would help.]
The only way we can quickly recognize God's voice is to hear it often. In frequent times of communion with Him, we learn the sound of His voice, the warmth of His love, the encouragement of His grace. [We program His number into our caller ID!]
Then we wait, as Mary waited at the tomb. And when, in that quietness, He calls our names, we will instantly respond, "Rabboni!" We recognize Him as He calls to us because we have sat at His feet and heard His voice time and time again.
Lord, teach me to recognize your voice quickly. Whether I am alone or in crowds of people, I want to hear and identify your voice. Be my shepherd, Lord, and I will be one of your sheep who knows and responds to what you say.
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