January 26th, 2026
by Dr. Josh Franklin
by Dr. Josh Franklin
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" - Ephesians 1:17 (NKJV)
I was reading about blue whales the other day. For many years, we thought that blue whales were mute - that they just didn't make sounds. But sure enough, we found out through new instruments and technology that they were making sounds all along. We just couldn't hear it with our own physical ears.
Blue whales, once thought to be relatively quiet, are now known to produce powerful, low-frequency vocalizations. These calls, with a fundamental frequency ranging from approximately 8 to 25 Hz, are generally below the threshold of human hearing. However, with the aid of underwater microphones (hydrophones), scientists have discovered that blue whale vocalizations can travel great distances, potentially up to 1,600 kilometers (approximately 1,000 miles) under favorable conditions. The exact function of these calls is still under investigation, but research suggests they play a role in communication, maintaining distance between individuals, mate selection, and signaling the presence of prey. [See Ana Širović, "Recordings Spout Secrets Behind Blue Whale Behavior," Scripps Institution of Oceanography, February 12, 2018, [5] https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/recordings-spout-secrets-behind-blue-whale-behavior.]
To illustrate the power of their calls, consider this: while someone shouting from Los Angeles might not be heard in New York City, a blue whale vocalizing off the coast of Alaska could be heard by another whale near the shores of Southern California. That's how powerful the sound is that they make. And yet for years, we thought they were mute.
How does that relate to you and me? Our physical senses are limited. We can only see so far. We can only hear so well.
I'll never forget many years ago trying to train a dog with one of those dog whistles. You know, the kind where no one can hear the sound, but the dog can hear it. It worked great at nighttime when it was dark and quiet. I'd take him out, blow the whistle, and he'd come right back. But during the daytime? He'd see all the sights and sounds around him and just dart out chasing anything that moves. I'm blowing the whistle, blowing the whistle, and he's not coming back. That little sound was on a different level than you and I can hear.
Are there things right in front of us that we can't see? Yes, there are. Are there things happening around us that we can't hear? Yes. And it's the same way in the spiritual world.
God's been speaking all along, friend. Just like those blue whales were singing powerful songs we couldn't hear, God's voice has been there - we just need spiritual ears to pick up what He's broadcasting. This is the focus of Paul's prayer for the Ephesians in this passage.
The beauty of our salvation is that even as a child, you can understand certain elements of our walk with God. But the longer you walk with Jesus, the deeper it becomes. The more meaningful it becomes. Why? It's not that it necessarily changes; it's just that your understanding changes.
Reflection Question: What might God be saying to you right now on spiritual frequencies you haven't learned to hear yet?
Heavenly Father, just like those blue whales were singing all along but we couldn't hear them, I know You're speaking to me constantly. Give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation to hear Your voice clearly. Help me tune out the distractions and focus on what You are saying to me, today. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Check out: "Seeing With the Eyes of the Heart" (Ephesians 1:15-19): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/td3gnp7/6-seeing-with-the-eyes-of-the-heart-eph-1-15-19
I was reading about blue whales the other day. For many years, we thought that blue whales were mute - that they just didn't make sounds. But sure enough, we found out through new instruments and technology that they were making sounds all along. We just couldn't hear it with our own physical ears.
Blue whales, once thought to be relatively quiet, are now known to produce powerful, low-frequency vocalizations. These calls, with a fundamental frequency ranging from approximately 8 to 25 Hz, are generally below the threshold of human hearing. However, with the aid of underwater microphones (hydrophones), scientists have discovered that blue whale vocalizations can travel great distances, potentially up to 1,600 kilometers (approximately 1,000 miles) under favorable conditions. The exact function of these calls is still under investigation, but research suggests they play a role in communication, maintaining distance between individuals, mate selection, and signaling the presence of prey. [See Ana Širović, "Recordings Spout Secrets Behind Blue Whale Behavior," Scripps Institution of Oceanography, February 12, 2018, [5] https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/recordings-spout-secrets-behind-blue-whale-behavior.]
To illustrate the power of their calls, consider this: while someone shouting from Los Angeles might not be heard in New York City, a blue whale vocalizing off the coast of Alaska could be heard by another whale near the shores of Southern California. That's how powerful the sound is that they make. And yet for years, we thought they were mute.
How does that relate to you and me? Our physical senses are limited. We can only see so far. We can only hear so well.
I'll never forget many years ago trying to train a dog with one of those dog whistles. You know, the kind where no one can hear the sound, but the dog can hear it. It worked great at nighttime when it was dark and quiet. I'd take him out, blow the whistle, and he'd come right back. But during the daytime? He'd see all the sights and sounds around him and just dart out chasing anything that moves. I'm blowing the whistle, blowing the whistle, and he's not coming back. That little sound was on a different level than you and I can hear.
Are there things right in front of us that we can't see? Yes, there are. Are there things happening around us that we can't hear? Yes. And it's the same way in the spiritual world.
God's been speaking all along, friend. Just like those blue whales were singing powerful songs we couldn't hear, God's voice has been there - we just need spiritual ears to pick up what He's broadcasting. This is the focus of Paul's prayer for the Ephesians in this passage.
The beauty of our salvation is that even as a child, you can understand certain elements of our walk with God. But the longer you walk with Jesus, the deeper it becomes. The more meaningful it becomes. Why? It's not that it necessarily changes; it's just that your understanding changes.
Reflection Question: What might God be saying to you right now on spiritual frequencies you haven't learned to hear yet?
Heavenly Father, just like those blue whales were singing all along but we couldn't hear them, I know You're speaking to me constantly. Give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation to hear Your voice clearly. Help me tune out the distractions and focus on what You are saying to me, today. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Check out: "Seeing With the Eyes of the Heart" (Ephesians 1:15-19): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/td3gnp7/6-seeing-with-the-eyes-of-the-heart-eph-1-15-19
Dr. Josh Franklin
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