John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14 NIV).
Recently, I heard the story of a Palestinian shepherd whose sheep was stolen. This shepherd was perturbed about how a live sheep was stolen under his care.
He decided to look for the sheep but his effort yielded no fruit. He decided he’ll go to the market on the market day to continue his search.
When he got to the market where sheep were sold, it seemed an arduous task spotting his own sheep but he deviced a method. What was it?
He began to sing a song as he walked around the market. Not long after, his lost sheep ran towards him because the sheep recognised his voice and that song.
The shepherd normally sing that song for his sheep on daily basis. The sheep recognised the song and knew that only his shepherd could be singing that song.
This story underscores the importance of fellowship. It is not possible to be close to God and not hear or recognize his voice.
One challenge many believers have today is their inability to recognize God’s voice and discern him. You’ll find Christians of decades on this table.
Some even concluded man can’t know if he’s truly serving God. They believe it is only God that knows those that are serving him. That’s inaccurate.
Jesus said, “…I know my sheep and my sheep know me”( John 10:14 NIV). A true sheep knows the shepherd.
If there’s a sheep that doesn’t know or recognize the shepherd, something is obviously wrong with their fellowship.
One reason we emphasize daily fellowship with God is because the more you relate closely with the Lord, the more you discern his voice and actions.
Recently, I was walking up the stairs to my flat. My children were with their home lesson teacher. My little daughter said, “that’s my daddy coming”.
She didn’t see me, she only heard my footsteps and she predicted accurately it was me. Their teacher had to check if it was true. I was surprised seeing him at the door. He told me how my daughter said, “That’s my daddy coming”.
How did she know? She had fellowshiped with me to the point where she recognizes the sound of my footsteps. Those who fellowship with God can predict him accurately.
We can get to that point with God and in God. A dimension where we can discern what God is doing without hearing him speak or what he is saying even in a whisper.
*True fellowship is intimacy. This starts with the regular study of the word and consistency in the place of prayer.
PRAYER: Father, I receive grace to fellowship closely with you in Jesus name.