Overcoming Fear with Obedience

Overcoming Fear with Obedience (John 10:27)

John 10:27, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Before the beginning of an athletic event, awaited by thousands of fans, a little dog strayed from its master onto the field. From the grandstand on one side of the field, one whistled. Presently, many were whistling to the dog from all sides of the field. In the middle of the field, the little dog, filled with confusion and fright, crouched to the ground. Then, a boy at the end of the field put two fingers into his mouth and whistled shrilly and loudly. The little dog, recognizing his master's call amidst the others, leaped to his feet. With ears erect, the dog ran swiftly to its master. About God's children following their heavenly Master, Jesus said, " My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" Let us be swift to discern and obey His voice.

1. Do you hear His voice?
Sheep recognize their shepherd’s voice because they know him. If you find yourself increasingly familiar with what Jesus said and eager to think about and obey Him, you are living in the flock. If you can’t honestly hear His voice, you have to decide if you’ve wandered off and need to return. “One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

2. Does Christ know you?
A shepherd can pick out his sheep from a mixed flock. But knowing is more than recognizing—it's love, intimacy, and transparency. Do you welcome Jesus’ knowledge the way David did in Psalm 139:1, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.” Either He’s your Shepherd or you are treating Him as a stranger.

3. Are you following Him?
Recognizing the call to relationship and heart obedience that Jesus expects ought to make you pause. Sometimes you may need to confess, I hear His voice, but I’m not always understanding what His Word is telling me to do. Becoming aware of your need for more direction actually means you are hearing Him.

“Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence of sincere and supreme love to him”, Nathanael Emmons. God does not expect negotiation, He expects obedience in every part of our lives. Even believers who have known Jesus for years admit, “I’m not following perfectly.” Jesus knows you can’t follow Him flawlessly. In spite of that, He invites you to follow Him anyway. He provides His constant presence to help you do what you are incapable of doing on your own. This is why you can call Jesus your Shepherd. He is the perfect Shepherd even though you’re not a perfect sheep. Thank Him for being your Shepherd today.

Points to Ponder:
Obedience should be decided immediately.
Obedience should be decided completely.

Questions to Consider:
As I review my life, am I one hundred percent obedient to the Word of God?
Where would you like to strengthen your obedience to the Lord?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for sending Your Son as my Shepherd. Thank You for showing me that as a good Shepherd, He laid His life down for me, in order to save me and provide forgiveness to me for my sins. Thank You that He lives to knowingly lead me today as I hear His voice and follow Him. And thank You for showing me ways I can hear and follow better. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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