One of Them (Bringing Bold Faith to a Broken World)Sample

"I HEAR YOU"

“I can hear you, but I can’t see you, Pop-Pop!” There was real panic in the voice of my four-year-old grandson, Jenesis. We were on FaceTime and the audio was working, but the video wouldn’t show because of a bad connection. “Pop-Pop where are you? I hear you but I want to see you!” He began crying, “I want to see you, Pop-Pop! I need to see you!” I tried to calm him down, but he was so frustrated by not being able to see me that he wouldn’t listen to me either. Eventually, he focused on my voice as I spoke of all the things that I love about him and what we were going to do together. I smiled when he stopped sobbing and said, “I love you too. I know it’s you Pop-Pop. I can’t see you, but I know your voice.”

Jesus said, “my sheep know my voice.” God speaks to us in different ways. We hear His voice in the Scriptures of the Bible, in our dreams and visions, through our prayers, through other people, and through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we hear God clearly but fail to respond because we want more. We want a sign or a miracle that proves it is undeniably the voice of God. Or maybe we are like Jenesis, and we want to see God because hearing His voice isn’t enough.

When you are “one of them,” you respond to the voice of God even though you can’t see God. You obey God’s call and command because you know His voice. Being “one of them” is to be someone Jesus knows. As “one of them,” you understand that to be known is to be loved. The world will often be a bad connection between you and God. However, the love God has for you guarantees He will always see you even if you can’t see Him.

As ‘‘one of them,” you listen to His voice. You serve Him even though you can’t see Him. You trust God to be with you in every assignment you accept on behalf of the Kingdom. And just like Jenesis, you say to God, “I love you too. I can’t see you, but I know it’s you because I know your voice.”

PRAYER

Father, the world around me is full of noise. I ask for Your guidance to help me navigate through the noise and distractions of the world. Help me to draw closer to You and hear Your voice clearly. Give me the discernment to know Your voice from the voice of others. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen!

REFLECT

What are some of the ways you have heard God’s voice? (Dreams, visions, other people, etc.) and what is something specific that God has said to you?

Change-Reaction Challenge

For the next five days, pick a time of the day that works best for you and spend some time alone with God. Go for a walk, sit still in a quiet place, pray in complete silence and listen for God’s voice.

Facetime or video call someone you are growing in Christ with. Cut the video off, use just the audio feature, and share this devotion with them. Pray together for the ability to hear God more clearly.