It is wise to listen to God and then do what He has asked you to do. Listen carefully for His instruction. Often, God speaks to people, but they don’t realise or believe that it is Him speaking to them. This happened to young Samuel; when God called him, he thought it was Eli, the priest.
Hearing from God is something you develop with practice. Talkers often miss the voice of God because they are not good communicators. When you are always talking to someone without giving them a chance to respond or contribute, you are failing to communicate effectively.
Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Don’t just keep talking to God when you need something. Give Him time to speak to you. Spend time listening. He will reveal certain things to you or even ask you questions.
In my own experience, I often ask Him questions and wait for an answer. The answer may not come immediately, but it will surely come. His timing is not ours. Even before I was born again, I would ask God direct questions—not in prayer, just simple questions. And He was ready to answer me. Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
At times, I reflect on the great things God has done in my life. They were not always because I prayed. No, I wasn’t praying because, at that time, I didn’t know how to pray. But I was good at asking. I remember the story of the woman who had the issue of blood for 12 years, as told in St. Mark’s Gospel, chapter 5. She did not even ask Jesus for healing. The Bible says she only thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” She managed to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, and the bleeding stopped immediately.
I strongly believe that God has already determined what each person will do in their lifetime, and He continues to work out His purposes for their lives. That is why He speaks to people and desires that they listen and obey.
When I started Pharmanews in 1979, I was asking myself what professional training would qualify me as a pharmaceutical journalist. Was I to practise as an amateur? I was simply asking God. I hadn’t attended any journalism school but only had experience editing the PSN journal. I wasn’t praying but simply asking God.
God knew the desires of my heart and His plans for my life. A few years later, He opened the door to international training that would equip me for service. In 1984, the World Health Organisation (WHO) offered me training for health editors in Copenhagen, Denmark. This opportunity exposed me to editors of international journals—people I had read about but never dreamt of meeting. That training introduced me to the European Association of Science Editors (EASE), and I began attending their annual conferences. Later, I also joined the International Federation of Science Editors (IFSE) and attended their conferences.
When you hear from God, believe Him and do what He has asks you to do—that is obedience. Job 36:11 (KJV) says, “If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures.”
Some people make the mistake of asking for other people’s opinions after God has instructed or directed them. This shows distrust and dishonours Him. You must learn to trust God after hearing from Him, without seeking reassurance from anyone else—be it a pastor, counsellor, parent, teacher, or anyone else. Be cautious when seeking advice regarding decisions for your life. God has given you your life and is in charge of it. He must come first.
When you listen carefully and hear from God, the devil, who doesn’t want your progress, will try to make you doubt whether you truly heard from God or whether you are qualified to hear from Him. As a child of God, the Holy Spirit, who dwells within you, will give you the best counsel for your life.
