Revelation in Dreams

1Kings 3:5
5At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

Solomon had just taken the reign as king when David died. Solomon was young as many kings were during that period. But this isn't really about Solomon's reign. It's more about revelation brought forth  in a dream. In psychology, it is taught that dreams are the way your subconscious mind speaks to you. And while some of that is true, especially if you are listening to the radio or watching TV just before you fall asleep or thinking of the events of the day, what your mind is receiving can be played back in a dream. But scripture says that it can also be a way the Lord speaks to you as said by Job's friend Elihu in Job 33:14-15 "For God does speak-now one way, now another- though man ma not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds,"  In Genesis 37 Joseph has several dreams and one revealed his future and what his brothers would be doing. Joseph telling the dream was the catalyst to him being sold to the Egyptians but was still part of his destiny that God worked for his good that ultimately led him right to where God showed him in the dream. Joseph not only had prophetic dreams but God gave him the ability to interpret them as He did Daniel after the Israelites were captured by the Babylonians. God gave revelation to Aaron and Miriam at the tent regarding dreams In Numbers 12:6 he said, Listen to my words: "When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams."

Yes, there are many references to dreams in the Old Testament but there are references in the New Testament as well. In Matthew 1:20 Joseph was going to rid himself of Mary after it was found that she was with child but she was carrying our Savior, Jesus Christ. The angel spoke to Joseph son of David in a dream to console him. In acts 2:17 which is a reference to Joel 2:28 talks of dreams being more prevalent in the last days. The purpose of all of this is not to say that if you have a dream you are a prophet. The office of a prophet is completely different. There is a gifting of prophecy that God can bestow upon anyone at any given time to reveal what God is doing and His direction but also a warning that requires a person's actions to change. The best way to tell if what you've seen in a dream is real is to inquire of the Lord. He says in His word that when you ask it will be given to you. This is as long as you believe and ask with the right intentions. The Lord desires to speak to you. The way in which He speaks to you is decided on 1) His preference and 2) what you are most receptive to. Remember, the Lord knows you better than anyone because He created you so He knows what you will respond to. If a dream is the way He gets your attention, then it will be so.

May you be blessed and receive comfort.

Please join me on Thursday, August 2nd at 8pm ET as I will be on WordThirst Radio with Ashea Goldson for an interview to promote my book, Get Your JOY In The Morning!