DREAMS, VISIONS AND THEIR INTERPRETATIONS

READ: Daniel 4:19-27 (NKJV)

19. Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. [So] the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, [may] the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!
20. The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which [could be seen] by all the earth,
21. whose leaves [were] lovely and its fruit abundant, in which [was] food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home —
22. it [is] you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.
23. And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, [bound] with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him’;
24. this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:
25. They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.
26. And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump [and] roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.
27. Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by [being] righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to [the] poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

THE MESSAGE:

Daniel gave King Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation of the dream and fearlessly warned him of an impending danger – that he king would be driven into the bush to eat grass like oxen for seven years (verse 25). He also gave counsel to the king on how to avert the danger – let him live righteously (verse 27). Daniel’s advice to the king is relevant to us today. Righteousness and mercy are veritable tooIs with which God blesses His people (Proverbs 21: 21). Spiritual dreams and visions often announce a warning to prepare one for what is coming and their interpretation come from God and must be consistent with the teachings of the Bible.

A vision occurs when a person is awake and alert (Acts 10: 9-23) while a dream occurs when a person is asleep (Matthew 1: 20-24). “For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings…” (Job 33: 14-18, ESV). The Bible contains all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1: 3); therefore dreams and visions are not the only means for direction. Additionally, God also speaks through His word or by His Spirit. Godly dreams glorify God and help to encourage people to proclaim the Gospel.

PRAYER: O Lord, stir up our spiritual gifts and help us to use them to Your glory. Amen

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024
TOPIC: DREAMS, VISIONS AND THEIR INTERPRETATIONS

1. Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for the grace to see this new day in good health and sound mind.
2. Father, thank You for the special gift of life, many wished to see this day, but they couldn’t.
3. Thank You Jesus for being there for us, Your children.
4. Thank You Lord for Your plans for me this month and this year. They are plans of good, not of evil, to give me a successful and good end.
5. Father, please forgive me all my known and unknown sins, and give me power to overcome sin and its lustful desires, in Jesus’ name
6. LORD, use my dream as a means of passing Your message to me, in Jesus’ name
7. I receive grace to live a righteous life, in Jesus’ name.
8. Father, give me the gift of dream interpretation, in Jesus’ name.
9. I receive grace to rely solely on God in all things, in Jesus’ name.
10. O Lord, stir up my spiritual gifts and help me to use them to Your glory, in Jesus’ name
11. LORD, help us to get it right in Nigeria, and let Your perfect will be enforced on us in Jesus’ name.
12. Heavenly Father, let Your peace reign in this country,
13. Whether the devil likes it or not, I will make heaven and receive my eternal rewards in Jesus’ Name.
14. This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
15. Personal and family prayer requests.
16. Confession: God bless the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), God bless the Universal Church, and bless our country Nigeria -1 Chronicles 17:27.
17. Thank You Lord for answered prayers, in Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen.