The first step to hearing from God is setting a time and place to meet with Him on a daily basis. The second step to hearing from God is having a daily plan for Bible reading. The third step to hearing from God is entering into the Lord’s presence through prayer. The fourth step to hearing from God is connecting with godly individuals who are also seeking to know and do the Lord’s will.

The Bible tells us that the Lord often speaks to His people through other people. The Pharaoh of Egypt heard from the Lord as he listened to Joseph interpret his dreams (Genesis 41). The people of God heard from the Lord as they listened to Moses (Exodus 20) and to Joshua (Joshua 3). Later on in the Old Testament, leaders would frequently call for the prophets to come and tell them what the Lord was saying (1 Kings 22).

In the New Testament, when people taught they professed that they had heard from the Lord (Acts 2, 17), so the listeners could know that they were, in turn, hearing from the Lord. And the writings of Paul and other godly men included in the New Testament are examples of people hearing from the Lord, and then communicating what they’ve heard to others.

In our world today people “hear from the Lord’ when they hear an anointed sermon or teaching from a godly individual, or when another person shares with them the wisdom, insight or a specific message they have received from God or His Word. So, to “hear from the Lord” in these ways, we have to be faithful church-goers and we have to be connected to godly individuals who are also seeking to know and do the Lord’s will.

Are you a faithful church attendee? If not, you will struggle to hear from the Lord. In Bible studies and worship services godly people are striving to share what they have heard from the Lord, so that others can receive God’s message and live in God’s will for their life. When a person leaves a church service, they should be able to say, “Today I heard from the Lord.”

Are you connected to some godly friends, especially some mature Christians, who are also striving to know and do the Lord’s will? If not, you are missing out on opportunities to “hear from the Lord.” Meditate on these Scriptures. Proverbs 15:22 reads, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” Proverbs 19:20 reads, “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” When we surround ourselves with godly friends (like the ones we find in a small group Bible study) and are faithful in attending church, we will “hear from the Lord” on a regular basis. And remember that “hearing from the Lord” and knowing God’s will is the first step on the pathway to victory in the life of a Christian.

How has the Lord spoken to you through other Christians in times past? I would love to hear your responses.