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TOPIC: Gordon, Samuel Dickey - Quiet Talks on Personal Problems (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 58. "My Sheep Hear My Voice."
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"My Sheep Hear My Voice."
There are some snags in these waters to be looked out for, and avoided. Some terrible mistakes have been made by those who said they had heard the voice of God, and were doing as He had bid. I am not speaking now of those who have done insane things under such a delusion. But godly, well-equipped men, earnest and whole hearted in their devotion, have made pitiable mistakes that have sadly blighted both life and service.
Sometimes a failure to obey in some matter, a break with God, a getting out of touch, a bit of sin not fixed up at once but persisted in, has led to the unwise step, and a wrecked career of service. We are made of such inflammable, catchy stuff that we must fight shy of the fires of passion and of pride, and live very close to God, with a constant cleansing from defilement, if we are to go straight.
And sometimes where no such thing comes in there is a plain slip in judgment, with sad results. The records of service are full of those who have been led away from the middle road to side paths not meant to be trodden. God is no longer able to use them. The switching from the road has meant a switching from service. Paul was constantly on the watch lest after having been used of God he should have to be laid aside as no longer serviceable (1Co_9:27).
Mark keenly that the tempter is a great imitator. He is a mighty actor, skillful in impersonating God. He follows God as closely as he can. There is a fascination in running through the Bible, especially the book of Revelation, and noting the imitations of the evil one. There is a voice of God, and there is a voice that is not God's but sometimes mistaken for His. There is need of constant watchful care. Yet one may be sure. The Master said, "My sheep hear my voice" (Joh_10:27); that is, they recognize it. The actual sheep in that land are very keen and quick to recognize their own master's voice. That sheep simile is immensely helpful here. The sheep live -with the shepherd. It is by long daily intimacy with him that they know him so well.
So with us. By the intimacy of daily contact with God, by the intimacy of knowledge with His Book, one may come to recognize unerringly His voice, and by the cultivation of a quiet spirit one grows keener to know that voice, for it is a voice of great, still quietness. There is a Voice of God as well as a Book of God. God speaks by the voice of the Spirit to a man's inner spirit. He is apt to speak in the words of the Book. Sometimes He speaks otherwise. And when He does it is always in accord with the Book, of course; the voice of God agrees with itself. He never speaks contrary to the Book nor to the spirit of it.
Having asked for guidance and reached your decision, never look back and question your guidance. If indeed it be clear that you have not waited quietly enough, and have not heard distinctly, and made a decision unwisely, of course it must be changed. But when you have waited and listened and not hurried, and come to a decision, then refuse to question it. Push quietly on. There is a teasing, nagging indecision that whips back and forth over a matter already disposed of. It often comes from worn-out nerves. Good sound sleep, and plenty of fresh air, and plain food thoroughly chewed, would dispel many of the distracting, confusing thoughts that come racing in like staghounds to bother us. They would help us to hold steady mentally, and to know the thing to do. Sometimes this indecision lies deeper-down than a tired body, and is a mental trait to be chastened and disciplined.
A will bended to God's, a spirit of obedience to His wishes, the Book kept open, the cultivation of the Spirit's friendship, time alone with the Book daily, a habit of wide reading of its pages, a quiet, unhurried spirit—these simple, great things lead to the disciplined judgment and sensitive spirit that know what to do and make no slips.
"Thou sweet, beloved will of God,
My anchor-ground, my fortress hill,
My spirit's silent fair abode:
In thee I hide me and am still.
Upon God's will I lay me down
As child upon its mother's breast;
No silken couch, nor softest bed
Could ever give me such sweet rest.
Thy wonderful grand will, my God,
With triumph now I make it mine;
And love shall cry a joyous 'yes'
To every dear command of thine.
Thy beautiful sweet will, my God,
Holds fast in its sublime embrace
My captive will, a gladsome bird
Prisoned in such a realm of grace.
Within this place of certain good
Love evermore expands her wings;
Or, nestling in thy perfect choice,
Abides content with what it brings;
A sweetest burden, lightest yoke,
It lifts, it bears my happy soul;
It giveth wings to this poor heart;
My freedom is thy grand control." (Madame Guyon)