The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. (Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV)

Just as a shepherd tends to the needs of his sheep by watching over them carefully–to protect and guide them away from trouble and lead them to what will satisfy their needs–so God also does the same for His people.

You might be tempted to disbelieve this at times when your discouraged and can’t sense the nearness of His presence; but keep in mind that a shepherd doesn’t always make direct contact with his sheep in this way either. Nevertheless, he’s still there to lead them and to tend to their needs. In other words, just because the sheep may not feel the shepherd’s touch or see him standing near, that doesn’t mean the shepherd isn’t watching over them from the shadows or that he isn’t preparing to draw them to a safe place where they will find food and shelter. And so we should think of God in this way: just because we don’t see that He is present or feel His touch, it doesn’t mean He’s absent or that He isn’t speaking.

Perhaps life has dealt you a few too many blows and you’re beginning to question God’s love for you. Maybe you’ve been waiting to receive an assuring word from God; but it seems like you’ve gotten nothing but dead silence. You might even think that He isn’t there to hear your cries for help or that He doesn’t care about you. But is God really silent? Is it true that He doesn’t care? No! To the contrary, He speaks to you all the time and loves you very much!.

But have you really been seeking Him?

The Bible says,

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)

What this means is that God has already voiced His thoughts to us in the Bible.

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4 NKJV)

Therefore, it’s not a question of whether God is speaking to you or not, but one of whether you’re allowing Him to communicate with you as He sees fit; it’s a question of whether you’re really listening.

Please understand that the Bible isn’t merely a book that contains information about God; it’s God’s letter of love to His people; it’s God’s letter of love to you. For, every page of its sacred writings represents God’s voice speaking to us through the pen of inspiration. And if you will allow His voice to penetrate your heart in this way, you will see that God is very much involved in your life and that He’s in places where you would least expect to find Him. Moreover, you will see that the Bible is filled with hope, promise, wisdom and virtue, to increase your understanding of God, and to lead you to what will satisfy all of your needs. That is, it will lead you to the heart of Jesus Christ.

But will you listen to what God has to say to you in the Bible? Will you let Him counsel you in this way?

Will you hear His voice?

Will you let Him be your Shepherd?

If you want to experience true happiness and peace of mind, then invite The Holy Spirit to enter into your heart now, receiving God as He is; and you will begin a blessed journey into the heart of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ–The Good Shepherd! (John 10:11)

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