In our modern society, we sometimes overlook the importance of dreams. But the God of the universe can communicate in dreams. Have you ever had a dream where you felt the Lord was speaking to you? As you read this, it may surprise you that the Lord still speaks to people in dreams today.
Perhaps the Lord gave you a recent dream you are still pondering. Acts 2:17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. [1] When did the last days begin? They began with Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. As we read the Bible, we see dreams have always been a language of God. Not all dreams we have are from God, but I believe that the Lord communicates to us more in dreams than we realize.
God Gives Direction in Dreams
Joseph was righteous and engaged to Mary, but when he found out she was pregnant, he knew he needed to do something. Not wanting to hurt the woman he loved, Joseph planned to break the engagement quietly so she was not publicly disgraced.
Matthew 1:20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” [2]
Confusion can tear our lives apart as our lives unfold, but while we are at rest, the Lord can bring discernment through a dream. For Joseph, a dream from God brought clarity and direction in taking Mary as his wife. It often takes God’s divine intervention for His sovereign will to unfold in our lives. The dream from God was so clarifying that Joseph did not hesitate to take Mary as his wife without any further reservations.
Will God Speak to Me in Dreams?
I believe God desires to speak through dreams to give encouragement and insight. Perhaps you’ve never received a dream from God, or at least didn’t realize a dream was from the Lord. Here is a process that has been helpful for me:
- Pray and ask the Lord to give you a dream.
- Expect the Lord in faith to answer your prayer.
- When you wake up, ask the Lord to help you remember a dream from Him.
- Keep a dream journal and write it down.
- Pray again and ask the Lord for meaning.
Remember, any dream must match up with God’s Word. If a dream contradicts God’s written Word or encourages you to take action outside the character and nature of Jesus, it is not from God. To learn more about the importance of dreams, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-dream-reveals-the-truth
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.