Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice: Learning to Recognize Jesus’ Leading

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27 (ESV)

Have you ever found yourself in a season marked by an unexpected theme? Maybe you keep noticing a particular word or a Bible verse seems to follow you everywhere. I’m in one of those seasons now, and the theme is clear: The Lord is my Shepherd.

A Season of Gentle Reminders

It started with insecurity.

After following Jesus for more than 15 years, I still sometimes wrestle with doubts:

Can I really hear Him speaking to me?

A few months ago, I began confessing this to the Lord, and almost immediately John 10:27 started coming to mind again and again:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Not long after, a friend gifted me a sweet children’s book titled The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep. This story beautifully illustrates our relationship with Jesus, showing the Shepherd’s deep desire to be close to His sheep.

Recently, I stumbled upon another Scripture—Isaiah 40:11:

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

If you’re counting, that’s three separate reminders that Jesus is my Shepherd.

When God repeats Himself, I’ve learned to lean in. As I studied these passages, I began to see His heart for His sheep more clearly.

Three Truths About Our Good Shepherd

1. He goes first

Jesus says that His sheep follow Him. That means He always goes ahead of us. There’s no place He calls us to that He hasn’t already gone before. His leadership is personal and trustworthy.

2. He cares deeply for His sheep

Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “To carry is kindness, but to carry in the bosom is loving-kindness. The shoulders are for power, and the back for force, but the bosom is the seat of love.”

That’s the kind of care Jesus offers—close, tender, and full of love.

3. We can hear Him

Jesus didn’t say His sheep might hear His voice; He said they do. Like sheep recognize their shepherd’s voice, we can recognize His voice too—especially as we spend time in His Word.

Letting Truth Sink from Head to Heart

In this season, God has been moving these truths from my head down into my heart:

He is my Shepherd.
He loves me.
He’s leading me.
I am safe in His care.

And these truths are for you as well. No matter how uncertain the season may feel, you can trust the One who calls you by name and leads you faithfully.

Dive Deeper in Scripture

To meditate more on Jesus as the Good Shepherd, spend time in these passages:

Psalm 23
Luke 12:32
John 10:1–16

Let these verses remind you of His voice, His guidance, and His unfailing care.

Final Encouragement

When you doubt that you can hear Him, remember that hearing the Shepherd’s voice is not about spiritual perfection but about belonging. If you are His, then He knows you, He calls you, and you can trust that He is leading you every step of the way.