Find Lasting Peace: Listen to His Voice for Transformation

Good Shepherd Sunday: Finding Peace in Listening to His Voice

There’s something profoundly comforting about the simple words, The Lord is my shepherd. But what does it really mean when we say them?

On Good Shepherd Sunday, that question came into focus as I opened my Bible once again. I didn’t just want to say it; I wanted to live it. Because when life feels unsteady — and let me tell you, in these times it very often does — the assurance that God is leading us is not just a nice thought; it’s what keeps me sane.

Here’s the full message. You can watch it here:

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Why Do We Need a Shepherd?

Sheep aren’t the smartest creatures. They wander, they get lost, and without guidance, they can easily find themselves in harm’s way. But here’s the thing: aren’t we just like that? Aren’t there times when we feel directionless, overwhelmed, or flat-out lost? Especially in the middle of crises, like the ongoing global health situation, we can easily feel like we’re sheep without a shepherd.

Sheep and Their Need for Guidance

This isn’t an insult. If anything, it’s an honest reflection of our human condition. We need a shepherd — not just any shepherd, but the Good Shepherd.

Our Own Human Condition and the Need for the Good Shepherd

The Bible makes it clear that the Good Shepherd leads with care, nurturing us by giving us the direction we desperately need. In the account from John 10, where Jesus talks about being this Good Shepherd, He paints a vivid contrast between Himself and those who would come and pretend to be our caretakers — thieves, robbers, those who don’t truly care for the wellbeing of the sheep.

Reflection Questions:

• When have you felt lost or uncertain, like a sheep without direction?
• How might embracing the guidance of a Shepherd provide comfort and peace in these moments?

Can We Hear His Voice?

It’s easy to say, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” but much harder to really live as though He is. Do we really listen to His voice? This is the question I’ve wrestled with, too.

The Contrast Between the Good Shepherd and Thieves

In John 10:10, Jesus talks about the difference between the Good Shepherd and thieves: “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus doesn’t just want us to get by. He wants to lead us to the kind of life that’s rich with meaning, steeped in peace, and overflowing with His presence.

Listening Amid the Noise of Modern Life

But can we hear Him? Are we tuned in to His voice, or are we too preoccupied with all the other voices? Turn on the TV or scroll through social media, and you are bombarded with opinions, instructions, and suggestions. But in the cacophony of modern life, it’s the Shepherd’s voice that leads us to green pastures and beside still waters.

Reflection Questions:

• What helps you tune into God’s voice amid the noise of daily life?
• How can you practice listening more intentionally to recognize His guidance?

We Are The Sheep, He Is The Shepherd

There’s a beautiful story that comes to us from Uganda, where a woman was able to call each of her cattle out by name from a confused and disheveled herd. The cows knew her voice. They recognized it and responded.

Recognizing and Responding to the Shepherd’s Call

That’s how we’re supposed to be with the Good Shepherd. We’re supposed to hear His call and walk toward it, even through the noise and confusion. But how often is that our reality?

Facing Life’s Challenges with the Shepherd’s Guidance

Think about it. We frequently lose sight of the fact that we don’t have to navigate life alone because there are so many forces pulling on us—jobs, bills, relationships, and crises. We have a Shepherd who calls us each by name. And it’s not just knowing the words, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” It’s about living into that truth daily, even when it’s difficult.

Reflection Questions:

• How does the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd resonate with you personally?
• What does it mean to you to respond to His voice in times of confusion or hardship?

Who Are You Entrusting Your Life To?

Jesus addressed the difference between a true shepherd and the pretenders, the ones who may seek to guide us but lead us astray. This is not just a warning for back then. It’s as relevant now as ever. Who are we listening to in these moments of crisis?

Distinguishing the Good Shepherd from False Guides

We run the risk of being led into places where we don’t belong if we miss His voice or allow the loudest or most well-liked voices to draw us in.

Trusting His Guidance in Times of Crisis

Psalm 23 brings it all home: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul.” He’s shepherding us with a purpose — to restore, to renew, and to bring peace. But are we allowing Him to?

There’s a lot of trust wrapped up in admitting we need guidance. It’s humbling, but it’s also incredibly freeing. We aren’t meant to have all the answers. We’re supposed to lean into the fact that we have someone who does.

Reflection Questions:

• In moments of crisis, whose guidance do you tend to follow?
• How does trusting in the Good Shepherd challenge or change your approach to decision-making?

Real Faith is Trust, Not Always Feelings

I’ve had this dilemma in my own life. I know the Lord is my Shepherd, but there’s often a vast gulf between knowing it and living it. Do you feel that space, too?

Moving from Knowledge to Daily Living

There are times when I simply don’t feel it. The faith doesn’t come naturally as it once might have. But here’s one of the most amazing realizations I’ve come to in my walk: I don’t always need to feel what I believe. Faith bridges the gap between what we know and what we live.

Finding Peace by Letting Go

And that’s what I’ve been clinging to. In the face of uncertainty, instead of retreating into myself or trying to take control, I’ve found there’s peace in letting go. We’re sheep. We can’t see the full picture, but the Shepherd can. And He’s good.

Reflection Questions:

• When has trusting God been difficult because of your feelings?
• How does leaning into faith, even when feelings are absent, deepen your relationship with Him?

The Comfort of His Voice in Life’s Dark Moments

Maybe you remember hearing about the disaster at the Pentagon on September 11. One man named Isaac Hoopii charged into that crumbling building, risking his life to save others. He called out into the building: “Is anybody in there?”

A Real-Life Example of Guidance in Crisis

Desperate and frightened, a group of men could hear him. They started crawling toward the sound of his voice. “Head toward my voice,” Hoopii said. And they followed. And they were saved.

Following the Good Shepherd’s Voice

That’s what our Good Shepherd does for us. We’re in the middle of some disaster, some crisis that overwhelms, and He’s calling out, “Come to me. I know the way.” We just have to move toward that voice.

His peace is available every step of the journey, even when the way seems unclear.

Reflection Questions:

• How has God’s presence comforted you in difficult times?
• In what ways can you draw closer to His voice when faced with fear or uncertainty?

Recommended Reading/Resources

• A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller – A classic exploration of Psalm 23 through the eyes of a shepherd, offering deeper insight into what it means to be guided by God.
• Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard – This book emphasizes the importance of listening to God’s voice, perfect for those seeking to deepen their connection with the Good Shepherd.
• The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament by Kenneth E. Bailey – A historical and cultural look at the shepherd metaphor, bridging the Old and New Testaments, making it valuable for deeper scriptural understanding.
• The Voice of Jesus: Discernment, Prayer, and the Witness of the Spirit by Gordon T. Smith – A guide to discerning God’s voice amid life’s noise, relevant for anyone seeking clarity in following the Good Shepherd.
• With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani – This book challenges common misconceptions about our relationship with God, helping readers trust Him as their shepherd rather than a distant authority.
• Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23 by Dallas Willard – Focuses on living a fulfilled life rooted in the peace and trust described in Psalm 23, offering practical steps to experience God’s provision and care.

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The Lord is Our Shepherd — Now and Always

So ask yourself: Who’s your shepherd? Who are you allowing to guide your life? Because it matters. It deeply matters.

Choosing the Voice That Matters

You can follow the crowd, you can listen to the loudest voices demanding your attention, or you can choose to follow the voice that matters — the voice of our Good Shepherd.

Taking Heart in His Constant Guidance

And as you walk, even through the most difficult valleys, take heart in knowing that you’re not alone. He’s leading you.

Reflection Questions:

• Who or what competes with God for the role of “shepherd” in your life?
• How does recognizing Jesus as your Shepherd influence your peace and purpose daily?

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