Hearing His Voice #331

Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.”

John 6:68

Jesus has just finished preaching some difficult truths, and crowds of followers have left Him. All that remain are the Twelve, and even they haven’t quite understood the teaching. Yet when Jesus asks them if they are about to leave Him too, Peter answers with the only reasonable response: Where else would we go? Any alternative would be unsatisfying. Sure, other teachers and other truths might be easier to understand and less controversial, but none would be connected to eternal reality like Jesus. Following Jesus may be difficult and frustrating at times, but there are no better options.

We have to have that attitude toward God’s voice. Sometimes His words are obscure; we aren’t sure whether we’re getting a confirmation or a correction, or apparent guidance seems to lead in a direction that makes no sense, or we don’t know whether we heard His voice or simply misread the messages we’re hearing. We may get disoriented and have no idea how to respond. But where else are we going to go? To a more understandable but merely human philosophy? To a more convenient religion? To a Scripture that’s better organized or less laden with obscure names and places? No, even when we realize how much we don’t understand about God and His ways, we know He is truth. And we simply can’t settle for anything else.

Even when God’s words are hard, we cling to them because we know that every other alternative is unsatisfying. We want reality, even when it hurts. And we will keep pressing into His presence to hear what He says because we need Him, love truth, and know His words are life.

Jesus, there have been times when I would have left if I had somewhere to go. Following You can be hard. But I know You are the Lord of truth and the gateway to eternity. And deep down, I love Your willingness to be known. I want to hear Your voice, whatever the cost.