
Hearing from God: In Our Daily Life and Divine Assignments
John 10:27
In the past devotionals in this series, the focus has been on learning how to hear from God, understanding that He still speaks, recognizing His voice, and cultivating a heart that listens. So far, you understand that God is not silent, and He desires to lead His people with clarity and love.
In today’s devotional, you will be learning more about hearing from God and that He is interested in our daily lives. From everyday decisions to life-altering moments, He provides wisdom, direction, and confirmation. God is not distant or uninterested in the different aspects of our lives. Just like a loving Father speaks to His child, God desires to speak with you, and He wants you to hear Him.
John 10:27
New King James Version
[27] My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
One of the things to note from this verse is not just that God speaks, but that He leads, and as He leads, His sheep follow. A shepherd does not drive sheep from behind; he walks ahead, and the sheep willingly follow because they recognize His voice and trust Him. The shepherd is responsible for their safety, nourishment, and direction. In the same way, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who desires to lead you daily and not only in life’s big decisions, but also in the small, seemingly ordinary choices you make.
Jesus spoke with a lot of certainty in this verse. He did not say ‘my sheep may hear my voice’, He said ‘my sheep HEAR my voice’. The issue is not whether or not God is speaking, but whether we are listening.
The same way you will easily recognise the voice of your best friend in a room where everyone is talking because of the relationship you have with your friend, is the same way you will easily discern the word and voice of God in this noisy world because of your relationship with Him. The more time you spend with Him, the clearer you recognize His voice even amidst the noise of life. If you’re not attuned to His voice, you might miss His direction or confuse it with the voices of the world, your emotions, or even fear. When you look through scriptures, you will realise that God is not distant; He is a Father who leads His children by giving specific instructions.
Acts 13:1-3
New King James Version
[1] Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
[2] As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
[3] Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
While the early church leaders were worshipping and fasting, the Holy Spirit didn’t just speak in general terms. He gave precise direction, naming and assigning people to a particular task. This shows that God doesn’t just care about your worship; He can partner with you in decision-making. He doesn’t only speak in grand visions or once-in-a-lifetime moments, He gives direction in the seemingly ordinary things, whispers wisdom in the routine, and offers clarity in confusion.
Whether you’re facing a crossroads in your career, navigating relationships, making ministry decisions, or stepping into a new season, the God of all wisdom is eager to guide you.
James 1:5
New King James Version
[5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
It is easy to think that God only speaks when it is something “big”, like a ministry calling, a relocation, a crisis. But Scripture shows that God’s wisdom is available whenever we ask. The text above shows that God gives wisdom liberally. This means you are not bothering Him when we ask for guidance about friendships, daily work, family dynamics, or simple choices. God wants to be actively involved in your life, He delights in being involved. Hearing God’s voice is not reserved for “Christian elites”; it is for every child of God.
Proverbs 3:5-6
New King James Version
[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
[6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Many times, your understanding can be limited or clouded by emotions. God’s voice becomes clearer when you stop relying solely on your human reasoning and trust Him fully. Acknowledging Him means you are involving Him in every area of your life, whether big or small. When you do this, He will make your path straight. You don’t have to wait for a church service or special meeting to hear God.
Some of the ways you can involve God in your daily life and hear from Him at all times are:
1. Talk to God Throughout the Day: Prayer doesn’t always have to be long and formal. Develop a habit of speaking to God like you would speak to a friend. Ask Him what to do before replying to a message, stepping into a meeting, or making a decision, even small ones. The more you talk to Him, the more room you give Him to speak back.
2. Start and End Your Day with God: How you begin and end your day sets the tone for how clearly you hear Him. Give God the first and last word. Start your mornings with even a few minutes in Scripture or quiet prayer. At night, reflect and pray.
3. Practice Listening, Not Just Speaking: Many times, our prayers are full of requests, but we don’t pause to listen. After praying, stay still and pay attention to nudges, impressions, or Bible verses that come to mind.
4. Invite God into the Mundane: Whether you’re cooking, driving, working, or running errands, invite God into those tasks. Let your heart stay aware that He is present. You’d be surprised how often He speaks in those quiet moments.
God is not silent. He is constantly speaking through His Word, His Spirit, and the circumstances of your life. But in a noisy world, you must create space to hear Him. You don’t need perfect conditions; you just need an open heart and a life that invites Him in.
Start your day by acknowledging Him in your everyday moments, and you will find His voice becoming clearer and more familiar, like a familiar voice that stands out in a crowded room.
Prayer point
Lord, I invite You into every part of my day. Teach me to hear Your voice in the ordinary moments. Help me to slow down, listen, and respond to You. I don’t want to live by guessing and assuming, guide me daily in Your wisdom and truth.