Dream A Little Dream
by Al Linton, Elder
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)
There are infinite ways God talks to us. Sometimes it’s when we are “still” and connecting with Him. You hear stories of people who listen to a sermon and they say, “That sermon was talking directly to me.”
Sometimes God communicates in dreams. There are 21 dreams in the Bible. Some are symbolic like this dream in Daniel. Some involve specific instructions, like the one to Joseph not to divorce Mary (Matthew 1:18-24).
God still communicates to us in dreams today. An elder at FPC had a dream that he saw Pastor Dan preaching from the Koʻolau golf course. That dream led the church to Koʻolau and eventually owning the building and 246 acres of land. This is from a man who said he never remembers his dreams! God was talking to him through his dream and he listened.
Several years ago I was fasting for the first time in my life. It was during the Lenten season, (we call it the Linton season), so it was a 40-day fast which included the Daniel fast. At the time, I was going through a tough period in my business. I worried about the future of my company and what that might mean for my family. I was depressed. One night during the fast I had a very vivid dream. I was in a huge house with many rooms. I walked from room to room. In each room was a friend or relative who had died. It wasn’t scary. It was very calming. In the last room was my Aunt Bette who had died months before. She said, “Your room is not ready; your work isn’t finished.”
When I awoke, the first thing I did was look up John 14:2: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”
From my dream, I realized I needed to stop worrying and that I had more work to do here on earth before I have my room in my Father’s house. I know that the fasting connected me closer to God. I woke feeling the need to let go of my worry and let God take over.
In the Daniel scripture, it says “like” the son of man. A description of the Messiah. “Son of Man” is an idiomatic expression meaning “human being.” But this figure is “like” a human being and yet rides on the clouds indicating His divinity and has unhindered access to the Ancient of Days (from NIV Study Bible footnote).
While you’re fasting and are tempted to “break fast,” pray. God is listening. He’s talking to you one way or another. Always. Just listen with your heart and give the control to God who knows and owns all things. His dominion, after all, is "an everlasting dominion that will not pass away."
Prayer: Dear God, help us as we fast to connect more with You. We know You are always listening and talking to us in many different ways. It’s comforting knowing You are ruler over all the earth and heaven, and You are preparing a room for us. In Jesus name, Amen
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