TAKE heed, therefore, how ye hear." These are the words of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, when He was here, a Man amongst men. They may prove useful to some who turn over the leaves of this magazine, as a reminder that, in the sight of God, it is a matter of importance how one hears the truth.
One frequently notices the number of voices that readily join to sing that sweet familiar hymn, "I heard the voice of Jesus say," and the question arises, How have many of them heard?
Man, by nature being lost in sin, needs to hear the voice of Jesus speaking as the One both able and willing to save. The leper required to hear in this way; and immediately he sought cleansing, the voice of Jesus was a voice of power to him. Have you heard Him so speak?
Again, one may say, man by nature lies dying with an incurable disease, and, like the impotent man in John 5, needs to hear the voice of the great Physician. Take heed how He speaks to such! "Wilt thou be made whole?" Have you not heard Him speak thus? Unless you have in your need heard the voice of Jesus speaking to you as the Savior, you cannot really have given heed to His voice.
To believers—those who have given themselves into the hands of the Savior—Jesus speaks words of comfort and security; He speaks as their Shepherd. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish; neither shall any pluck them out of my hand."
He speaks also as their Guide. “He goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice." His voice should be heard by His own as their Teacher “Learn of me.”
Again His claims should be acknowledged, and His voice heard as the Master's. "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am."
The faithful one who knows and rejoices in the safety of the Savior’s side, who follows Him, feebly though it be, who sits at His feet and hears word, learning His word, learning from His own lips and owning Him as Master, enjoys that which lifts him above the trials and difficulties of this world whatever they may be.