JEREMIAH’S SWEET DREAM
While Jeremiah slept, the Lord spoke to him in a prophetic dream of the coming Messiah and of a future time of joy and peace for Jerusalem. When he awoke, he remembered every word the Lord had said and he regarded his sleep as being so very sweet that he no doubt wished he could return to his slumber. For the one known as the Weeping Prophet lived during the time of Jerusalem’s destruction and was commissioned to preach a message of repentance to a people that wouldn’t listen. Yet, on this glorious morning, Jeremiah arose refreshed by the Word of the Lord.
I rarely remember my dreams, but there have been times when I have felt that the Lord visited me during the night. I usually have trouble describing such dreams and the details seem to slip away, but there is always a sweetness that remains. I have noticed that these dreams have usually come to me when my waking world was full of trouble or grief.
Although Jeremiah’s sweet dream did not change his present situation, it surely comforted him in his waking hours and strengthened him for the work of that day. It caused him to wake up and look around to see the world through the Lord’s eyes. It gave him an ultimate hope for the future.
PRAYER: Dear Father, at times our minds are so full of worry and our ears so full of noise that You must speak to us in our sleep to get our attention. Teach us to be quiet and hear Your voice. Thank You that You love us so much that You give us sweet dreams and restful sleep to empower us to face another day. Help us to wake up and look around with Your eyes today. In Jesus’ name, amen.