How to Know and Listen to Jesus’ Voice
I’ll never forget the first time I knew I’d heard Jesus’ voice.
I’m sure He had spoken to me at other times in my 24 years, but this was the first time I was certain it was the Lord speaking into my thoughts and touching my heart.
Jesus told His followers…
The gatekeeper opens the gate for Him, and the sheep recognize His voice and come to Him. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. After He has gathered His own flock, He walks ahead of them, and they follow Him because they know His voice.
John 10:3–4
The question is, how do we KNOW that it’s Jesus’ voice? How can we be confident that it’s the Lord who’s speaking?
- We learn what He has said in the past by spending time with Him through His Word.
- We spend time with Him in prayer.
- We do our best to listen, trust, and obey His commands as given to us in the Bible.
Our Shepherd’s goal is to keep His sheep sheltered and safe, and that’s not as easy as it sounds.
Sheep are foolish and stubborn. They wander off, get lost, and have even been known to nibble themselves right over a cliff. That’s why they need a trusted voice to guide and direct them.
So do we!
We need to know and trust Jesus’ voice. We need to follow His direction.
Jesus identified Himself as the Good Shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.
John 10:14–15
He knows His “sheep” individually and personally.
David wrote…
O Lord, You have examined my heart
Psalm 139:1, 5, 7,
and know everything about me.
You go before me and follow me.
You place Your hand of blessing on my head.
I can never escape from Your Spirit!
I can never get away from Your presence!
He knows every detail of every moment of their lives.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lived among us. He understands our difficulties and challenges. He experienced temptation and walked with weak people like you and me. Remember, the religious leaders criticized Him for spending time with “sinners.”
He is the Good Shepherd who sacrificed His life for foolish stubborn sheep, completing His mission of living a sinless life, suffering the punishment for our sins, dying, and rising to make it possible for us to live with Him forever.
We can trust our Shepherd’s voice. He knows us better and loves us more than anyone in the world.
Let’s pray and listen to Jesus’ voice. He is the Good Shepherd who will never lead us astray.
A Prayer to Know and Listen to Jesus’ Voice
Father, thank you for Jesus, my Good Shepherd. Thank you for the way He knows me and loves me. Thank you for the ways He guides me through the Word and Spirit.
Forgive me. Like a sheep, I’m prone to being both stubborn and foolish. I get distracted, wander off, and put myself in short-sighted situations.
Like me, the people around me are stubborn and foolish, and too often, I follow them. I’m so sorry. I know it’s my sin that took Jesus to the cross. It breaks my heart to know all that He endured for me.
Your love is my greatest blessing. Because of Your love, Jesus promised to be present in my life now and always. He promised to give me strength and guide me with His Spirit.
Please help me KNOW His voice. Help me listen, trust, and obey in everything I do and say. Give me a desire to spend time in Your Word and prayer, and fill my heart with love for You and my “neighbor.”
You know me inside and out. You graciously guide me. Please help me listen. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
To finish the story of the first time I heard Jesus’ voice…
I was standing in our bedroom closet, 6 months pregnant, inwardly grumbling as I moved Rev’s suit from a shirt hanger to a suit hanger. It was a silly thing to be upset about, so I’m going to blame it on hormones and pregnancy brain.
Suddenly, my thought was interrupted by a clear voice that said, “Would you rather you didn’t have his suits to care for?”
Yes, the Lord got my attention that day. I will never forget it and have often praised God for giving Rev and me 48 more years to love and care for each other.
Jesus’ promised…
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,
John 10:27–28
So, as you listen for Jesus’ voice, remember…
His voice will never disagree with His written word and it will always be what’s best. It’s a voice that comes from the loving heart of the Good Shepherd who gave His life to give us LIFE!
May He be with you and bless you to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST His voice.
We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…
and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.
Never Miss an Update
Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning
I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.
And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…
Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…
Thank you, Deb. I don’t always comment on your posts but I want you to know how much they bless me. I’ve been distracted – it’s so easy nowadays to go to our technology first thing in the morning – but God in His mercy has been turning me back to seeking Him first each day. Finding your posts in my inbox when I do get to my emails, are a way to extend my time with Him. So thank you for each thoughtful and heartfelt post. I appreciate it more than I can say.
His, Cecilia
Amen Deb and Cecilia. Distractions…how do we give them less power. For me, right now, it’s the news. I’m searching for truths in the news about the world events, when I should be searching for truths in His word about Godly events. They’re so similar it seems…why isn’t there news in the media comparing the 2, and sharing the outcomes? Seems that would go a long way in reminding us which team we want to be on. I want to yell out KEEP CALM…GOD CAME DOWN!
Deb, I agree with all three of you. You, Cecilia and JoAnne. Distractions can really be a challenge for me. I let family problems take hold of me and can’t seem to concentrate on much other than that. This morning, I found my mind wondering while I was doing my morning devotionals. Trying to snap myself back to what I was reading was difficult. Praying to hear the voice of Jesus!!
Now I am trying to calm myself and do what I read! Psalm 46: 10 that says, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” Could it be that it was the voice of Jesus I heard telling me that?
I pray that you have a good and safe weekend. God bless you, my friend.