Victory in Christ: Devotions for Overcoming Life’s Battles

MONDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2025

 

TEXT: John 10:1-10

 

1: “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

 

2: The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

 

3: The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

 

4: When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

 

5: But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

 

6: Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

 

7: Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

 

8: All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.

 

9: I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

 

10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 

(New International Version Holy Bible)

 

TOPIC: HEARING GOD’S VOICE AMIDST THE NOISE OF MODERNITY

 

In today's passage, we meet Jesus in a discourse using a figure of speech. He makes some interesting contrasts between an owner and a robber or thief.

 

An owner approaches his own through the gate. An owner's voice is recognized or known by his own. The robber or thief does the opposite of all these.

 

In similar manner, modernity presents us with so much artificiality and robs us of our godly heritage. So reach that today, including some spiritually coded things, are fake. They are so loud to be neglected. But the voice of the owner, Jesus Christ, is not very loud.

 

The things of God are usually not flashy like those of the world. Hence, only the discerning understand, appreciate and accept them. Do not be confused by the empty noise of these modern times such as the craze for materialism and fame. Identify God's voice amidst this word's confusion.

 

QUESTION: Do you create quiet moments in your daily schedules to listen to God?

 

PRAYER: I confess, O Lord, that the wax of these modern times has blocked my ears from hearing You. Please unblock my ears and help me to hear Your voice. Amen. 

Remain Blessed     

ECWA Food For The Day, 2025.