“My sheep hear my voice. I know them. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28
Lord Jesus, this isn’t just a statement of fact; it’s a revelation of grace. These four affirmations are pregnant with new life that greets us every day in every situation all the way Home.
“My sheep” – Hallelujah, we are yours, Jesus. We don’t belong to sin and death, our past failures or present messes, the world’s chaos or the devil’s lies. We are beloved, weak, dependent sheep under your watchful, tenacious, and tender care. There’s no place we’d rather be.
“Hear my voice” – You never give us the “silent treatment”; and you never shame or berate us. By the Holy Spirit, 24/7/365, you are revealing more of yourself to us and telling us who we are in you (Rom.8:16). Turn up the volume, Jesus, for many other voices clamor for our attention.
“I know them” – Far better than anybody “getting us” you know us, Jesus—in the most intimate and caring way. You know our beauty and brokenness, the best and the worst, and everything else. No parent, spouse, or 17 of the healthiest, most committed, emotionally present friends can “know” us the way you do.
“They are unsnatchable” – By the very hand you created the cosmos, rule over everything, and are making all things new—you embrace and cherish us. Though the devil tries to pilfer us, the world tries to seduce us, pain tries to suffocate us, false lovers try to woo us… Jesus, you hold us fast, tenderly, and joyfully. Hallelujah! Thank you. And So Very Amen.
