God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, “. . . who will go for Us?” The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude. “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). That is, few prove that they are the chosen ones. The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and have had their spiritual condition changed and their ears opened. Then they hear “the voice of the Lord” continually asking, “. . . who will go for Us?” However, God doesn’t single out someone and say, “Now, you go.” He did not force His will on Isaiah. Isaiah was in the presence of God, and he overheard the call. His response, performed in complete freedom, could only be to say, “Here am I! Send me.”

Remove the thought from your mind of expecting God to come to force you or to plead with you. When our Lord called His disciples, He did it without irresistible pressure from the outside. The quiet, yet passionate, insistence of His “Follow Me” was spoken to men whose every sense was receptive (Matthew 4:19). If we will allow the Holy Spirit to bring us face to face with God, we too will hear what Isaiah heard-”the voice of the Lord.” In perfect freedom we too will say, “Here am I! Send me.”

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January 14, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

I often wonder if I missed God’s direction or leading. Has He been calling me to a specific action or direction and I have simply missed His voice? What if He is speaking to me and giving me direction and I simply do not hear Him or recognize His voice?

And God says…”My sheep know My voice. However, you must take time to listen to My voice and learn what my voice sounds like inside the cacophony of noise and activity that surrounds you. Take time to listen for Me and to Me. Learn what My voice sounds like inside your heart. When you know it is Me you will follow.  I can speak to you in many, many ways. I speak to you inside My word, in music, in worship and through other people. Take time to learn My voice.”

John 10:27 (New Living Translation)

²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.