When I was young, I experienced zero fear that someone would do harm to me. I ran free, creating adventure in my hours of play. My cousin Ricky and I played all over our neighborhood as did our young friends. We would vacation with our grandparents in the mountains of New Mexico. We played endless hours upstream from our campsite in Cimarron Canyon, New Mexico. We ran and played alone. There are adventures from those days that remain beautiful memories. They are untouched by sorrow, pain, or fear. Blessed times in my life.
The one and only requirement? Listen for the voice calling us home. Calling us back to the campsite. Consequences would result from not responding, when we heard the voice calling us.
Our God has that same requirement. He knows that we are going to hear voices coming from every direction. They will attempt to distract us from the One Voice that is required listening for God’s children. His Voice. The Voice of our Shepherd. The Voice that cares more for our well being and safety than any other. The Voice that knows where trouble is laying in wait. The Voice that knows a relationship is not good for us.
Thought For Today:
My parents, grandparents and Ricky have been gone many years now. Yet, I can remember their voices. From the first time we open our eyes, we have the voices of love and guidance with us continuously. We learn to obey their voices because of our daily contact with them. They are voices we trust. We recognize them immediately.
When we become adults we are in charge of where we go, who we spend time with and the voices we allow into our lives. New voices that will vie for our attention. If we are not careful, we will begin to listen to voices “planted” by the enemy. He desires to draw us away from our Heavenly Father. To people and places unsafe for us. We must be prayerful and have daily contact with God through His word. That will keep our ears and mind tender and alert to the only voice that matters.
Scripture For Today:
Isaiah 30:21
²¹urging you on whenever you wander left or right: “This is the right road. Walk down this road. (The Message)
Romans 10:17
¹⁷ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(KJV)
John 8:47
⁴⁷Anyone whose Father is God listens gladly to the words of God. Since you don’t, it proves you aren’t God’s children.(NLT)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! We pray for ears that hear your voice. We pray for a mind that discerns the difference from the many voices of the world wooing us into the culture and away from You. We pray that we follow Your Voice through Your word and prayerful daily conversation with You as we navigate through the valley of life to the mountains You desire for us. Forgive us of our sins. Amen.