THE CHILDREN'S VOICES
It has always been a cause of joy to the believer that the Lord Jesus was acclaimed King as He entered Jerusalem for the last time. The whole city was stirred by the event. Some persons were no doubt merely curious to know who it was who was riding so meekly in, seated upon an ass and her colt. Others were more deeply moved when they learned that it was Jesus the prophet from Nazareth the fame of whose great deeds had reached them. When they cried "Hosanna to the Son of David" they would not call in vain for salvation although it would not at that time exalt the whole nation. The joyful strain was taken up by the children in the court of the temple. This had only just been cleansed from the merchants who had made it a den of robbers. What a complete and happy change for that building! It was now truly a place of prayer and praise as the children raised their voices and chanted 'Save now'.
When you began to read this page about voices I expect you thought at once of the shepherd calling to his sheep. He might use actual words but there must be something unique in the tone and pitch of his voice by which his sheep know him and respond. Men have learned to copy a shepherd's calls exactly enough to confuse another person but the sheep themselves have not even turned their heads! Have you noticed how the ewes know their own lambs and the lambs their dams in a confusion of 'baas'?
Scripture tells us that in the world there are "many kinds of voices". As we grow up we prove how easily the passing things of life attract our attention by their call, and no doubt some of these voices must be heeded for our own good. But the word of God assures us of a voice behind us, as of someone lovingly following us and saying "This is the way, walk ye in it". The Christian 'way', so frequently mentioned in the Gospels and the Acts is the same in its moral principles as the pathway of Jesus. How perfect that was, calling forth the Father's voice of delight! John the baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, was but a voice in his own estimation although the Lord called him the greatest person ever born.
In a different connection, the prophet Elijah standing upon mount Horeb realised that God was not in the mighty wind, nor the earthquake nor even in the fire. It was in the soft gentle voice that he recognised the speaking of his Maker and Master. God speaks today in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, bidding us to be friendly towards Him as He is towards us. Have you heard and answered to that gentle voice?
J.C.Evershed