Listening to the Shepherd calling

"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant." Psalm 25:14

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

"And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." Isaiah 45:3)

How do men of God/women of God or servants of the Lord hear and know the thoughts of God or the secret or counsel of God? What are your experiences like spending time in God's presence, hearing His voice, sweetly and gently speaking to you?

Yes, the revealed Word or the written Word of God is available, of course and your relationship with God and how you have honored His Word will have everything to do with you hearing His voice. Definitely, when you read the Word, meditate upon it day and night; when you wholeheartedly obey His commands and heed His words, you are certainly on the right track. You shall be successful and prosperous. He will be pleased with you and calls you "Faithful servants."

But how did you hear Him in the midst of life's turmoil, chaos and everchanging world? How did you hear Him when the fund is low; when your boss gave you a pink slip; when your car broke down, and the gas tank was empty, and you don't have the money to fix or to fill it; when your loved one is sick and your prayer was not answered immediately; when a child is not doing well in school; when your heart just does not feel right about the injustice in this world or in your community; when a hurt is committed, and the pain is deeply felt; when others doubt you; when you have some doubts about God even, like Thomas you have to see first to believe; when a friendship turns sour; when people borrow or owe you something and they don't want to repay; when your health is not as strong as it was before? What would you do?

How is your relationship with God lately? Will you be able to freely talk to God about anything? Will you be able to hear His inner voice speaking softly in your spirit? He was not speaking through the loud noise of the thunderstorm or the fiery fire upon the mountain, but the still small voice.

Of course, God can speak to you and me through anything and any way he wants to get our attention and to make sure things are done the way God wants. After all, He is still God. He is still in charge of everything that ever happens to us, His children. He is still the Lord of the vast universe. He is still mindful of the little sparrows and the hair on your heads. He is still mindful of you and me.

Nothing happens to us escape His notice. He does care. He does speak to us. Are we ready to listen? Are we ready to follow His voice leading us to the green pasture and the still waters?

My sheep hear my voice, said Jesus. Did you hear His voice calling you to step out of the boat in the midst of a raging storm? Did you hear His voice calling you in the wilderness where you may have lost searching for life's purpose and meaning? Did you hear His voice calling you in the evening in the garden of life where you may have tried to hide from His presence behind a bush?

When was the last or most recent time that you were able to hear Jesus or the Holy Spirit talking to you? What was it like for you? Would you be able to say to Him "Yes, Lord. Here I am, send me or use me."

I pray for you my friends that despite of everything have happened to you and me, God is still able to turn things around for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose for us in Christ Jesus.

I am learning to rest in Him, under His mighty wings. The Shepherd is calling out your names and mine. We'd better stay close to Him, sitting at His feet, dwelling in His house, and when He calls, let's step out of the boat and come to Him. It will be exciting to live life in His presence and power, doing the things He has called and commanded us to do.

I'd rather live the life that God has called me to live and never regret a day in my life ever. Would you?

Pastor Linh