The Diligent DreamerSample

Day 2: Be Diligent in Interpreting Dreams

During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven (Daniel 2:19 New International Version).

The night holds a unique and sacred space in our lives. Distractions from the previous day evaporate into the darkness while our mind and body enter a state of suspended consciousness. It is during the night, while asleep, we are quiet and receptive. It is no wonder God uses this time to speak to us through dreams and visions. Learning to discern their source and message requires diligence, wisdom, and a closeness to the only One who can unlock their meaning.

Not all dreams are divine in origin. For instance, some are products of our imagination. Others are derived from life experiences, trauma, memories, or from something we watched on television. Further, the Apostle Peter warns us that our enemy, Satan, will stop at nothing to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8), including infiltrating our thoughts with fear and lies in hopes they find their way into our dreams. Finally, there are "pizza dreams," which are unsettling dreams that occur after a late-night, spicy meal. Those who have experienced pizza dreams claim they are so real that it is difficult to distinguish them from reality.

Today’s scripture introduces us to Daniel, a devoted man of God who was unwavering in his faith and beliefs. He was highly favored by God and given the gift of dream interpretation. When none of the magicians, enchanters, and scorchers could interpret a series of King Nebuchadnezzar’s bizarre dreams, it was Daniel to whom the mystery was revealed. I love Daniel’s humility in praising God upon receiving clarity regarding the dreams; he knew that all interpretation comes from God (Genesis 40:8).

Like Daniel, the closer I am to God and His Word, the more in tune I am with His frequency. I may not possess the same gift of dream interpretation as Daniel, but I believe by setting aside practical reasoning and seeking spiritual understanding, God will confirm the messages embedded in the dreams He orchestrates. Scripture encourages us to seek discernment and wisdom from God in all things (Proverbs 2:6). I believe we have an invitation to petition God for help in understanding the meaning of our dreams.

As we drift off to sleep tonight, let us surrender our hearts and minds so we are poised to receive and understand His divine messages. I encourage you to return for tomorrow’s devotion where we will explore the use of wisdom in sharing our dreams with others.