The voice of God is important for every area of your life. If there is anything that is important to you, I would suggest that you open that area to the direction of God’s Spirit. You may think that God is not interested in certain areas of your life. I want you to know today that God has something to say about every area of your life. The Lord is depicted as a shepherd to His sheep. Sheep are animals that are very dependent on human beings for everything. If the Lord is depicted as a Shepherd, it shows how dependent we are on Him for everything.

1. Depend on the voice of God for your needs.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

“I shall not want” is what you will say after you have followed the Shepherd for some time! You will be able to say with David, “I have no needs, I am blessed in every way.” In order to experience this, you must follow the leading of the Spirit.

2. Depend on the Holy Spirit for your marriage and home.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psalm 23:2

Green pasture speaks of peace and happiness. It speaks of the marriages we all desire. You will never have true happiness unless you marry the person God wants you to marry. If you allow Him, the Holy Spirit will lead you to a peaceful marriage.

3. Depend on the voice of God for the right church.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3

This Scripture shows how dependent you are on God’s guidance for righteous living. Many people end up as fruitless nonentities in the kingdom of God because they are under the wrong leadership. It is so important to be led by the Spirit when you are choosing a church. It makes all the difference in the world! Most definitely, this is one of the important areas where you need the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

4. Depend on the voice of God for divine protection.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

The psalmist made it clear that he was dependent on the Shepherd for protection. He explained how the Lord’s protection was so powerful that he was able to eat lunch when his enemy was nearby.

Listening to the news, it is almost as though travellers are playing Russian roulette. Russian roulette is a game involving the firing of a revolver, with one chamber loaded, at one’s head, after spinning the chamber. If you are the unlucky one, the bullet will be fired when you pull the trigger. It is almost as though it is a game of chance for you to travel and return safely. Definitely, you need the voice of God to choose the right car, bus, plane or train!

5. Depend on the voice of God for the Anointing.

…thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Psalm 23:5

Without being directed by the Lord you will never be anointed. The anointing will not come from Heaven per se. God will have to direct you to relate with anointed men of God. Jesus told His disciples, “Follow me and I will make you…” Without following the right person you will not amount to much in the ministry. Surely, you depend on the voice of God to lead you.

6. Depend on the voice of God for the good things of this life.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

Psalm 23:6

Every businessman must know this reality. Without the grace of God you will never make it to the top. The silver and the gold belong to the Lord. If you seek His face, He will show you where it is hidden!

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

Haggai 2:8

7. Depend on the voice of God to make it to Heaven.

…and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23:6

Do you want to dwell in the house of the Lord forever? As you follow the Spirit of God, He will lead you on the path of righteousness. This will eventually lead to Heaven. You need the Shepherd to take you from the green pastures all the way to those eternal gates.

8. Depend on the voice of God to fulfil your ministry.

…he leadeth me in the pathS of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3

You are alive on this earth to fulfil your ministry! This is the reason why God created and saved you. If you do not fulfil your ministry, you have missed your whole purpose for this life!

by Dag Heward-Mills