Father, so many voices are
screaming for my attention.
May I guard the door of my heart
to welcome You and listen only
for Your voice – the voice of Truth.
Series: “Eyes to See and Ears to Hear”
Do you hold the keys to your home? No matter if its a house or apartment, owned or rented – as the keyholder, you authorize who enters, and you have the right to deny someone access to your home. You control the lock on the door. When someone knocks, you guard the threshold until the identity and purpose of the knocker is verified.
Sometimes we recognize the one knocking when they cry out with their voice. The sound of the voice can instantly reveal the identity of the knocker. Sometimes the voice may be new and strange. Either way, we are the protector of those inside and can open the door, or not, to those seeking entrance.
Jesus taught a parable in John 10 about a door and voices:
1“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
The gatekeeper is God. The shepherd is Jesus. Jesus is not a hired hand. The sheep are His own. He works from a place of love – to protect and provide for the sheep, and not for some other benefit. He feeds them, cares for them and leads them. With compassion, wisdom, and commitment, He strengthens and equips the sheep. And Jesus says His sheep know His voice, and will not follow the voice of another.
Do you know Jesus as your Good Shepherd? Has He knocked on the door of your heart? Are you allowing Him to be the voice that leads you?
There are so many voices in our world today. We can give our attention to and follow various directions. But not every voice is the voice of Truth. And not every direction will lead to the green pasture God has prepared for us.
Trust in God – the Gatekeeper. He has set Jesus to be your Shepherd – your protector, leader, provider, restorer. Do you feel lost and afraid? Uncertain and weak? Jesus is the answer. He is the strength for the weary, the assurance for the hopeless, the healer for the broken, the restorer for the depleted.
A good shepherd lays his life down for the sheep. Jesus has done that for you. Listen for His voice. Just as you guard your home, guard your heart. Open the door of your heart to Him. Follow no other voice but His. He is here to provide life – and life more abundantly – for you. Let Him shepherd you into the way of provision, protection, and peace.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: John 10:1-18; Numbers 27:15-17; Ezekiel 34:11-31; Psalm 23; Proverbs 4:23; Revelation 3:20
