By Rebecca Stanley
Reflecting on my childhood today, I have sweet memories of my Mom teaching my brother, sister and me the scriptures. Each week we would learn Bible verses that have stayed with me throughout my life.
John 10:27 was one of my favorite verses. In this chapter of John, Jesus states that He is the Good Shepherd willing to lay down His life for His sheep. In verse 27 Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me”. As we develop our relationship with the Lord we learn to hear and recognize His voice. In hearing His voice we begin to seek Him and follow after Him. These are the keys that unlock revelation of the Good Shepherd to our hearts.
Psalm 23 gives us a beautiful picture of the Lord as Shepherd who is watching over , protecting, loving and caring for His flock. David knew the needs of his sheep, even their strengths and weaknesses, but he guided them and protected them, nurturing and loving them. David’s relationship with the Lord brought revelation to his heart that “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want”. He learned to hear the voice of the Lord and release his faith and trust in his shepherd. These two components are needed in order to follow. Faith and trust bring the revelation of knowing that “He is all I need and want”. Psalms 23 states that “Surely His goodness and mercy will follow me all my days”.
May our prayer be, “Lord I hear Your voice and I’m following”.
