July 17
Finding
His Voice
"My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me."
John 10:27, NIrV
Tammy sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the ceiling. The silence felt overwhelming. She had been praying—really praying—for weeks, asking God for guidance. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t hear Him.
People at church often said, “God spoke to me,” or “I heard the Lord tell me…” But Tammy? Nothing.
Did God really speak to people? If so, why couldn’t she hear Him?
She thought back to all the times she had begged for answers—about her job, her relationships, her purpose. But all she felt was… lost.
One afternoon, she went for a walk in the park, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind. She passed an older woman sitting on a bench feeding the birds. The woman smiled warmly and motioned for Tammy to sit beside her.
“You look troubled,” the woman said kindly.
Tammy sighed. “I’ve been praying, but I don’t know how to hear God’s voice. I feel like I’m talking to the air.”
The woman chuckled softly. “Sweetheart, do you always recognize the voice of someone the first time you hear it?”
Tammy thought about it. “No, I guess not.”
“Exactly. It takes time. You learn a voice by listening often, by spending time with that person. God speaks in many ways—through His Word, through peace in our hearts, through wise people around us. But if we’re too busy or too doubtful, we might not recognize Him.”
Tammy blinked. She had been so desperate for a booming voice from heaven that she hadn’t considered the quieter ways God might be speaking.
That night, she opened her Bible—not to get an instant answer, but to simply listen. As she read, she felt a peace she hadn’t known in weeks. Maybe God had been speaking all along, and she was just learning to recognize His voice.
She whispered, “Lord, help me to listen.” And for the first time, she wasn’t afraid of the silence.
She knew He was near.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
I want to hear Your voice. Help me to slow down, to be still, and to listen.
Teach me to recognize the ways You speak—through Scripture, through peace, and through wise counsel.
Remove my doubts and fears, and help me to trust that You are always near, even when I don’t feel it.
Thank You for being my Shepherd. I choose to follow You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
