²⁷My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

John 10:27

Max Lucado wrote a children’s book entitled “The Song of the King” that tells the story of a king looking for a prince to marry his daughter. Three candidates came forward willing to compete for the hand of the princess.

The king laid out the competition that would take the candidates through a difficult and dangerous forest. He allowed each of them to choose a traveling companion and then sent them on their way. Every morning and evening the king played his flute from the castle to guide the suitors through the forest.

Days passed and the people waited anxiously to see who would make it to the castle. Finally, a lone figure straggled out of the woods. He was taken into the castle, cleaned up and presented to the king.

When the prince was presented, the king asked who he had chosen for his traveling companion. The prince replied that he had chosen the king’s son – the only other person who knew the king’s song. He went on to explain that in the forest the Hope-nots were loud and imitated the song of the flute, confusing him. But he had the king’s son play the song on his flute and it helped guide him through the forest and to the castle.

²¹Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say,“This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.

Isaiah 30:21

So, I wonder who you have chosen for a traveling companion. Do you rely on your own strength and cunning to ward off the Hope-nots? Do you listen for the song of the king? Does His son accompany you?

If there are children in your life, check out Lucado’s book. Even if there aren’t children, you should check it out.