You Know

John 10:3-5; 21:12; Psalm 29

People often ask me “How do I know if God is speaking to me?” My answer is simple and sometimes seemingly not very spiritual. I respond by saying “You know!” That’s it, you just know. That’s what we learn from our scripture text.

In John 21 the disciples were told to go up by the Sea of Galilee and wait for Jesus. After waiting a while, an impatient Peter decides he is going fishing and the other six disciples decide to go with him. That frustration and impatience would grow further after toiling all night with nothing to show for their labors. Finally from the shore Jesus speaks to them and Peter didn’t recognize him at first, but John did. Peter jumps ship and swims to meet with Jesus while the others pull in a large catch of 153 fish. When they drew ashore Jesus had a meal prepared for them and this verse always stands out to me “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.” (Vs 12)

Now they were able to recognize Jesus in two ways, visually and audibly. We cannot see Him visually, but we can hear Him just a plain as they did if we know His voice. That’s what Jesus said in John 10, “My sheep know my voice and another they will not follow.” So how do we know His voice?

First we must know Him!

Second we must know His word because that’s how He speaks to us!

Third we must be sensitive to His Spirit because it is His Spirit that teaches us, leads us, and guides us in all truth.

My mentor in his later years was blind but his hearing was very keen. When I would go to have coffee or breakfast with him I would walk up to the table and just say his name. He immediately knew that is was me. How? He knew my voice! How did if know my voice? We were friends! We had a relationship! We talked a lot!

In Psalms 29 the Psalmist sings about the voice of the Lord and the things that happen as a result of it. It is distinct and powerful. All I know is this, when God speaks to your heart there is no need to wonder if it is Him. You know! You just know! There is a distinction to it. And the reason why you know is because you belong to Him and are familiar with His voice!

Pastor Robby