A devotional by Pam Benedict

When Steve & I were in Israel this past March, we were part of a large tour group which included 6 other buses. Each bus had its own guide to keep things personal and well connected. But even so, there were times things could get quite noisy and crowded. To compensate for this, Inspiration Tours used a “Whisper Wireless Tour Guide System.” Each member of the tour was issued a “Whisper” headset. This device was a small radio receiver with a headset that could hang conveniently around your neck. It was calibrated to pick up the radio signal from a broadcast unit that hung around the tour guides neck which was connected to a headset microphone. It was super convenient. Wherever you were at (within about a 60-yard radius), you could hear your tour guide’s voice in your earpiece. Before we got off the bus each day, our tour leader Elon would check to make sure all the units were functioning and that everyone could hear him on the correct channel. He also carried a red flag with “Bus 1” emblazoned on it, so we knew where he was standing.

For 6 days we visited wide open sites near the Sea of Galilee and Jezreel Valley. The buses arrived at a staggered timetable and were well spaced out so you could easily stay with your group. However, on Day 7 we arrived at the Old City of Jerusalem, which was crowded with all manner of tourists, merchants; Muslims and Christians, Arabs, and Jews. It was a mob scene and we had to turn the volume way to catch all the details our guide was sharing.

At one point we were in a narrow square near public restrooms. It was a sea of people and hard to find your way. And suddenly, I heard a different voice in my ear. After 6 days of listening to Elon, I knew instantly that it wasn’t his voice. I scanned the crowd quickly and didn’t see Elon nearby but did spot the guide who I could now hear. He was from a different tour company and was apparently using the same whisper channel our bus was using. Because I was standing closer to him, the radio signal was stronger and I was hearing his words rather than Elon’s. After a minute of confusion, I spotted our flag and went to tell Elon about the channel overlap. He gathered the group and had us switch to a different channel. But again, we could hear yet another nearby guide chattering in our ears. Finally, we were able to get on a free channel and I felt relief when I could only hear his familiar voice.

As our group walked away from that crowded area, I reflected on John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Because I had been listening to Elon’s voice 8 hours a day for six days, I KNEW when it wasn’t his voice on my headset.

This Sunday, Isaac challenged us from Nehemiah 6 about not listening to the lies of the enemy and rebuking those whispers of deceit in the strong name of Jesus Christ. But how do we know the difference between God’s voice and Satan’s wicked whispers? By spending time with our Shepherd in His Word, by quieting our hearts in prayer, by listening to Bible based teaching, preaching and music, and by receiving counsel from godly friends who love the Lord. As we grow in our faith, we learn to recognize the voice of our Shepherd.

It is said that new bankers spend time studying real $100 bills, so they can later spot a counterfeit. And the more we listen to God’s voice in His Word, the more we will know the TRUTH of who God is, who we are, and to recognize when the enemy tries to deceive us.

Often Satan is extremely creative in how he tries to trick us, but there are a few common lies he uses:

Do you hear words of “condemnation & shame”? ENEMY! Romans 8 tells us there is no condemnation from God because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice in our place.

How about the whisper, “God doesn’t care or see what I’m going through.” ENEMY! God says in Exodus 2 that He saw, He heard, He remembered his covenant, and He was concerned.

If you hear the hiss, “You are wicked and will never change.” ENEMY! God says he has removed my heart of sin and has given me a new heart and put His spirit in me. (Ezekiel 36:25-27/II Cor. 5:17)

Do you feel something telling you to be proud and to put others down? ENEMY! Philippians 2 tells us how we are to put others above ourselves and to follow Christ’s example as a servant.

In contrast if we hear:

“Wow, you fell flat on your face in that situation! Remember you are forgiven and I’m going to help you get back up and make a better choice next time.” MY SHEPHERD & SAVIOR!!

“You feel so lonely. Never forget you aren’t alone. I’m walking this valley with you, and I won’t leave you or forsake you.” MY SHEPHERD & SAVIOR!!

“You have been waiting a long time with this burden. Rest in me. I will renew your strength.” MY SHEPHERD & SAVIOR!!

“That person is broken & hurting, and I need you to be my hands & feet to them.” MY SHEPHERD & SAVIOR!!!

When my kids were little, they sometimes tried to use the excuse, “But I didn’t hear you!” I would respond, “Train your ears to hear my voice.” We can train our ears to hear our Shepherd & Savior’s voice. It’s then we will recognize instantly when the wrong voice comes across our headset, and we will take comfort in hearing His true voice guiding us with compassion, gentle correction, encouragement, grace & mercy.

Whose voice will you listen to today?