Psalm 119: 145-176
Jeremiah 25: 30-38
Romans 10: 14-21
John 10: 1-18
A baby's ears begin developing around 6 weeks gestation, and by 16 weeks the inner ear has connected to neurons in the brain responsible for processing sound, allowing baby to hear what is happening around it. By 24 weeks gestation, a baby begins turning its head when it hears familiar voices and studies show its heart rate increases when it hears its mother's voice. Some doctors
even encourage mothers to sing to their babies during pregnancy. Evidently, baby will learn the tune and take comfort in it after birth.
A baby learns to recognize the sound of its mother's voice before it is even born- without ever seeing her face or meeting her in person. A baby takes comfort in the sound of her voice, and even more so, can tell it apart from any other. I believe this is the same type of voice our Lord speaks about in John 10: 1-18 (vs 4-5 spec).
It is a voice we learn, and while we wait for His return, we develop in ways that allow us to hear Him. Without seeing Him, we find solace in His voice. It is a voice that brings us comfort when we are distressed, and it is a voice that brings us joy. We can tell it apart from any other voice and we recognize it when we hear it.
It brings us the same comfort and safety we feel when we are with those we love. It is a voice that is ingrained in us and is unmistakable. Although we cannot see Him and we haven't met Him yet, we know Him and we know His voice. Just as a baby develops trust in its mother through her voice, we trust in Him and we know He is the way.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We praise you and thank you for our many blessings, among them your voice we know through scripture and one another. We ask you to open our hearts, minds and ears to your guidance through the riches of your voice. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Clair Silliman