God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes He reaches out to people when they least expect it, like in a dream. Dreams have been an important way for God to communicate with His people since Biblical times.
Biblical Examples of God Speaking Through Dreams
There are many examples in the Bible where God used dreams to speak to people. Here are a few key ones:
- Jacob’s Ladder – God spoke to Jacob in a dream about his covenant promises (Genesis 28:10-22)
- Joseph – God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams, which allowed him to save Egypt from famine (Genesis 37, 40-41)
- Solomon – God appeared to Solomon in a dream offering him wisdom (1 Kings 3)
- Daniel – God gave Daniel the ability to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams (Daniel 2, 4)
- Joseph, Mary’s husband – God spoke to Joseph in dreams about the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:20-24, 2:13, 2:19-20)
From these examples, we see that God has spoken through dreams all throughout history as an important way to guide, direct, and reveal His plans to people.
Why Would God Reach Out Through Dreams?
There are a few reasons why God may choose to communicate through dreams:
- Gain someone’s attention – A dramatic or vivid dream can capture someone’s focus much more than everyday forms of communication.
- Impart vision – Dreams allow God to show inspiring visions that stick in someone’s memory and motivate them.
- Overcome fear/doubt – Dreams can give reassurance and confidence to follow God’s direction.
- Speak at night – God can reach people while they sleep versus when they are busy during the day.
- Bypass logical doubt – Dream messages can get directly to someone’s spirit bypassing natural human skepticism.
So dreams are a powerful way God can directly reach people and reveal important messages and guidance.
Signs of an Authentic Dream from God
How can you discern if a dream is truly from God versus just a normal dream? Here are some signs:
- Aligns with Scripture – A dream from God will not contradict Biblical teachings.
- Leads to praise/worship – Dreams from God often result in a heart of praise and gratefulness.
- Focuses you on God – A God-given dream will point your focus and attention towards the Lord.
- Imparts spiritual fruit – Dreams from God will build your faith, understanding, and character.
- Terrifies then encourages – Authentic dreams may first terrify but then give assurance of God’s sovereignty.
While not infallible, these signs can indicate if a dream is more likely from God versus just random subconscious thoughts.
Famous People God Called Through Dreams
Here are some notable examples of people God called into His service through a dream:
| Person | Dream |
|---|---|
| Joan of Arc | Had recurring dreams at age 12 of St. Michael telling her to drive the English out of France. |
| Abraham Lincoln | Dreamed he walked into the East Room of the White House and saw a coffin and soldiers. He took it as an omen he would be assassinated as President. |
| Albert Einstein | Dreamed as a teenager of traveling at the speed of light and observing how time dilated. This formed the genesis of his theory of relativity. |
| Mary Shelley | Conceived the idea for her novel Frankenstein from a vivid waking dream of a scientist creating a monster. |
As we can see, God has spoken through dreams to regular people and famous figures alike, using it as an important channel of communication and revelation.
Conclusion
In summary, God calling people through dreams has been a significant Biblical phenomenon all throughout human history. While we always must test dream guidance against Scripture, dreams remain one way God can dramatically reach people and reveal His will and truth. If we have an authentic dream from the Lord, it is important to prayerfully seek understanding and be ready to act in faithful obedience to how God may be directing us to serve His kingdom.