What about dreams?

My dream was about a grandchild and a decision she was making about her future. It woke me, sort of, and my mind seemed to make up the rest of the dream. The story line was perfect and her decision was wise. It was almost like praying rather than dreaming. When fully awake, I prayed for her spiritual life and growth.

The night before, my dream was about a family in trouble who shared with us their severe issues and asked for prayer. I woke and prayed about that too, but felt distress about both dreams. Is this me being anxious or is it God reminding me to pray? I’d not thought about either situation until after the dreams and after becoming fully awake.
Today’s reading began with:

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34)

Then Piper writes this reminder: “Part of saving faith is the assurance that you will have faith tomorrow. Trusting Christ today includes trusting him to give you tomorrow’s trust when tomorrow comes. Often we feel today like our reservoir of strength is not going to last for another day. The fact is, it won’t. Today’s resources are for today, and part of those resources is the confidence that new resources will be given tomorrow.”

He goes on to say that each day God does not pile anything on His children that we cannot bear. This gives me assurance that He is in charge of even my dreams. The day before, I’d had enough to be concerned about and to pray for, so He put these two things in my mind during the night so I could pray about them before the next day started? Could be, yet Piper also quotes this:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

I would only call the dreams a temptation if they put me in a mind to take matters into my own hands and not pray about them but try to ‘fix’ the problems myself. Writing that dream ending might fall into that category. When I prayed later, I confessed my desire to have my way and prayed instead that God's will be done. I’d like that grandchild to move closer — a selfish desire in that dream, and selfishness was reflected even in the other dream. At the same time, prayers for the people in the dreams, according to the will of God, was not neglected after I was awake.

A blessing came in the reminder that God gives provision of endurance each day. His Word says: “Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.” (Deuteronomy 33:25) Those dreams assured me of one thing — I do not need to be anxious about today or tomorrow either. God will provide all needs.

Apart from the content, dreaming things that produce prayer helps me realize that anxieties can be hiding and I need to pray — rather than having them invade my sleep:

… The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5–7)

PRAY: Lord, Your promises to finish what You start apply to all Christians. Your perfect will is being done in their lives. If You want me to do anything toward their well-being, You will make that clear. Praying for them is already on that list. Giving them time, attention or whatever else comes to mind, is important. Guide me with Your clear Word and the Holy Spirit, and give me wisdom concerning dreams. In one verse You say that in the last days, Your people will dream dreams, but in another verse You warn about those who rely on their dreams. Don’t allow me to be side-tracked from hearing and doing Your will by anything, including dreams. Amen.

Strength from God

Perhaps it is the fatigue of moving. Perhaps it is the summer doldrums that hit after the end of teaching classes and more often being involved with people. Whatever the reasons, my battle with discouragement seems endless. No matter how well the days go, I wake in the morning feeling weak and useless.
 

Today’s verse is a promise from God to His people. It uses the word “bars” which can mean the strap of a sandal or the protection of literal bars. The rest of it is God’s guarantee to give strength for each day.

Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be. (Deuteronomy 33:25)

I went online for a sermon or something concerning this verse. I found one that talks about the need of Christians to realize our weakness before we can see the preciousness of God’s strength. The preacher mentions the obvious occasions where my weakness shows up, such as in failure and suffering. However, he also puts a finger on one thing not so obvious — progress.

As God’s people try to grow in grace and manage a bit of progress, we will find ourselves struggling to take one step forward and then easily taking a great many steps backward. It is to this daily battle that God makes this encouraging promise. 

Some days are full of sorrow when I must sit alone under God’s hand, yet the strength promised is not mere endurance. Whenever the trials of life draw out that “I’ve gotten used to it” attitude, I miss out on any increased capacity for action, comfort, or hope. Instead, the strength God promises will take the edge off calamities and even make me more than a conqueror over them. God wants me to have the kind of strength that not only enables me to endure but also builds my Christian character, just as the New Testament says…

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11–13)

God’s promise for daily strength is only as good as the One who made it has the ability to deliver. People make promises and may not keep them. For that disappointment, I must deal with a trust issue. But God always keeps His promises, even if up front it seems and feels as if it will not happen. His faithfulness does not depend on mine. Even when I have little faith or hope, God remains true to His Word.

Right now, the day seems normal, but Charles Spurgeon says that every house has a trouble factory. This is true. Even when life goes well, I know it will not stay that way. Trouble is coming, if not today, it will rear its ugly head. But Jesus looks at trouble then looks my way and says fear not. He uses trouble to teach me to rely on Him moment by moment.

In the past, I’ve asked for strength for the week, or for a task. Yet, God does not promise annual strength, monthly strength, or even weekly strength. One writer says he is glad about that because some trial or trouble may be great and he might use his monthly allowance on it and not be able to wait until next month for a fresh supply!

God is wise. His supply is according to my need, and it doesn’t run out as long as I live. Whatever the trials and as long as they come, I will have Sunday strength, Monday strength, Tuesday strength and so on until the day I am with Him in eternity.

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Lord, this is timely. Forgive me for taking Your strength for granted and neglecting to ask for it every day, even more often, every moment. Life has been demanding and beyond my capacity. But nothing is too hard for You. For whatever is needed today, grant me all that I need to meet the challenges.

Will God rescue me when I got myself in trouble?

Our son’s wedding rehearsal was yesterday afternoon followed by a dinner for at least forty people. We then helped our future daughter-in-law and her bridesmaids with some decorations in the reception room. After we came home, I was too wound up to go to sleep so read for a while. I still couldn’t sleep and woke this morning feeling as if the night was spent with a pillow over my head.
 

If I ever wondered about God’s sense of timing (or even His sense of humor), I wonder no more. Today’s Bible reading gives me His reminder that He can solve my problem, and the writing that goes with them reminds me that He is not obligated to fix anything that is my fault.

. . . as your days, so shall your strength be. (Deuteronomy 33:25)

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

The author of the reading uses these verses to point out that God will not impose any needless burdens upon me. He will not ask of me more than He knows my strength will bear. He never asked Peter to come to Him on the water, without at the same time imparting strength and support for him on those unstable waves. He will not ask me to draw water if the well is too deep, or to remove a stone if it is too heavy. 

But the reading does not stop there. He writes that God does not consider anything as impossible that I, as a free and responsible person, have the power to avert. That is, He will not regard as my misfortune what is also my crime. I stayed up too late. This was not forced upon me. While He grants renewed strength to the weary, I could have come home sooner. I could have also put down the book. Can I expect His help when I was not sensible and got myself over-tired? 

Yet isn’t it my sinfulness that causes most of my problems? God is my Savior from sin. Will He save me from the problems of being weak and unable? Did Christ come to give power to overcome foolishness only before I make the mistakes, or power also have I have messed up? Will He leave me in the pits that I foolishly dig? The Bible also says,

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29–31)

The last part of these verses has been written into a chorus and this song is already running through my mind. Well for now, maybe it is only walking, yet whether God chooses to renew my strength for the wedding today or lets me feel this tired all day, I have already decided my best option is to wait on Him.

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Lord, I am old enough to know better and disciplined enough to know that I cannot take You for granted. Yet this day is not about me. Perhaps I need to feel tired so I will depend on You for the energy and grace to do my part in today’s ceremony and celebration, rather than depending on my excited emotions. Whatever happens, enable me to hear Your voice and do what You ask, and to honor You on this important day.