Trust MeSample

Tuned In to God’s Life-giving Promises

Read: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) 

Think: As a young boy, I enjoyed going to my grandparent’s house to explore the many knick-knacks that were in their home. One of the items that intrigued me was a tuning fork. The inscription engraved on one of the tuning fork’s tines read, “A = 440 vibrations guaranteed,” meaning that the sound in my ear would always be the same – guaranteed! I would spend hours repeatedly striking it against something solid and then holding it to my ear to listen to the sound – a concert A. I would then practice trying to match the pitch that I heard in my ear with my voice, often unsuccessfully.

In Hebrews 13:8, there is another guaranteed pitch – Jesus! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” As a Christ-follower, I know that he is the “perfect pitch” on which all of my life is to be centered. Yet, just as I often struggle to match the musical pitch with my voice, I also often fail to match the way of living that Jesus sets forth. Both life and music can be tricky because not all songs begin in the same key. Some songs are in a minor key, others a major one. Yet no matter the circumstance, the best place to start is always from the guaranteed pitch of Jesus. And when I am in tune with Him, He promises to “sustain me… that I may live!” (Psalm 119:116).

Apply: In what ways are you working at tuning your ear towards Jesus? What things are distracting you from hearing the voice of Jesus as He calls out to you to rejoin the flock (John 10:3)? How good is it to hear that Jesus is always the same and that He promises to give you life and sustain you?

Pray: Almighty God, you have called us to follow you and have promised to sustain us and give us life. Help us to be able to discern your voice amidst the noise of this world and give us a desire to daily turn our ears toward you for guidance, encouragement, and strength so that we can give glory to you through our lives. Amen. 

(Mike Clemmer has been married to his best friend April for 35 years. They have 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren. Mike is the Lead Pastor of Maple Grove Mennonite Church  and a Leadership Minister with Mosaic Mennonite Conference.)