His master’s voice…

Perhaps you remember Nipper the fox terrier tilting his head to listen to his master’s voice through the large horn of an old phonogram.  This small dog was adopted as a stray in 1884, and later ‘inherited’ by his owner’s brother, a struggling artist when his owner died.

Dogs are curious creatures.  I picture in my mind the startled foxy perplexed as he hears the voice of someone who he quite simply should not be able to hear.  And then, as his artist owner noted, would return to listen again.  Still startled.  Still perplexed.  But still eager to hear the voice of his master.

Perhaps Nipper missed his master.  Perhaps he missed the one who found him when he was lost, and adopted him as his own.  Perhaps he missed the one who gave him hope for life.  Perhaps he wondered where he was, and why he couldn’t see him.  If this were the case there would be little wonder he was startled, or at the least curious!

We have all heard recorded voices and ‘naturally’ understand that the voice is merely an imitation of the real thing.  Just as dogs are curious creatures, so are people.  Sadly people all too often rationalise their curiosity into ‘natural’ understanding.  Unfortunately our determination to rationalise the natural can deafen us to the supernatural.

I wonder if we would tilt our heads if we were startled by the voice of God?  I wonder if we would eagerly return to the place where we heard is voice?  God wants to speak to people.  His voice is not a recording.  It’s not an imitation.  He really wants to speak to us.  We all need to find the place where we can hear him, for he is our God and we are the people of his care. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts (Psalm 95:6-7). Perhaps even listen?