John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow
me:
Beloved, I want you to take a moment and reflect on the
voices that you hear in your life. There are many voices - the voice of
society, the voice of our friends and family, and even the voice within
ourselves. Amid these voices, there is a voice that is often destructive and
discouraging. The voice that tells you, "You're not good enough,"
"You cannot do it," or "You're a failure." It is the voice
that breeds self-doubt, fear, and anxiety. This, my dear friends, is the voice
of the enemy, the force that seeks to pull you away from God's love and the
destiny He has planned for you. But today, it is time to stop listening to this
voice and start silencing this destructive echo.
In 1 John 4:4, we read, "You, dear children, are
from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than
the one who is in the world." This verse is a divine reminder to us
that the voice of God within us is more potent than any negative voice in this
world. God's voice is the voice of truth, love, and affirmation.
In the Book of Jeremiah, God says, "For I know the
plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11). This scripture is the voice
of God speaking directly to you, affirming you, and reminding you He has plans
for you, plans of success, and not of failure.
But how do we hear God's voice amid all the noise? It starts
with making a conscious decision to listen. It is like tuning your radio to the
right station. We must tune our hearts to God's frequency, and suddenly, His
voice will become the loudest, clearest, and most comforting voice we hear.
To do this, we must immerse ourselves in God's Word, for it
is His primary way of communication. We must commit to prayer, for it is in
these moments of intimate conversation that we can hear God whispering words of
love, affirmation, and guidance into our hearts. It is also in the fellowship
with other believers, where we can hear God's voice echoing through their words
of encouragement and support.
But, beloved, hearing God's voice is not enough. We must
believe and act upon His affirmations. We are not what the enemy says we are. Our
mistakes, our past, or our shortcomings do not define us. Instead, we are
defined by God's love, His grace, and the future He has planned for us. We are
His children, created in His image, destined for greatness, and loved beyond
measure.
So, today, I encourage you to silence the destructive echo
of the enemy. Refuse to listen to the voice that puts you down. Instead, tune
your heart to God's voice, listen to His affirmations, believe them, and act
upon them. For His voice is the voice of truth, and His words are the words of
life.
As we journey together in this life, let us remember we are
not alone. God is with us, speaking to us, guiding us, and affirming us every
step of the way. Let us silence the destructive echo and let the Voice of God
be our guide. Amen.