God-Given Dreams

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Understanding God’s Purposeful Communication

Today, we continue our message series called “Keep Your Dream Alive.” In this series, we are studying the life of Joseph, found in the book of Genesis, with the objective of learning principles from how God worked through Joseph’s amazing life. God’s Word is not just a bunch of entertaining stories from long ago, but it was written to instruct us and teach us how to live for God in the 21st century.

My message today is called “God-Given Dreams.” Joseph is often referred to as the dreamer, as if he came up with his own dreams, but as we’ll see today, Joseph’s dreams were God-given dreams. God communicated with Joseph concerning his future through dreams, revealing His plans and purposes in a deeply personal way.

When you look back through the book of Genesis, you see God communicating with people in a number of ways. God communicated with Abraham through a vision, God appeared to Abraham’s son Isaac and spoke to him, and God appeared to Isaac’s son Jacob in a dream that we’re going to look at today. Finally, we’ll be examining the God-given dreams of Joseph as a primary focus of our message.

What about today, though, and how does God communicate with people now, or does He? There is a widespread teaching today that God no longer communicates with people supernaturally, claiming that the age of miracles, dreams, spiritual gifts, and visions has passed. This teaching suggests that God worked supernaturally in biblical times but no longer does so today.

This teaching, called cessationism, says that all supernatural miracles ceased at the end of the apostolic time and that we no longer need God’s supernatural power because we have the Bible. The devil, they say, can still do supernatural things, but God does not. The problem with the doctrine of cessationism is that it isn’t biblical, because there is not a shred of biblical evidence for it.

The Bible was written to show us what God is like and how He interacts with people. We see God working supernaturally from Genesis to Revelation, and the Bible prophesies that God’s supernatural work will continue until Jesus returns. God still communicates with people today in a variety of ways, including distinctly supernatural ways.

Acts 2:17 (NIV) In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

In the New Testament, the last days refer to the time from the resurrection of Jesus until He returns again, and we are living in the last days. During this time period, God reveals knowledge supernaturally through prophecy, visions, and dreams. Everything that you think God has communicated with you must be tested against God’s Word, for God will never contradict His Word.

God wants to communicate His plans and His dreams for your life. That’s what we’re going to be talking about today, because as a believer, you should seek God’s dream for your life. When God speaks, He desires to lead us into purpose, clarity, and faithful obedience.

Seek God in Times of Change

Now, when I speak of God-given dreams today, I’m speaking of God communicating His plans and purposes for your life to you. This could happen in a supernatural dream or in a variety of other ways that God communicates with people. Before we talk about Joseph’s dreams, I want us to look back at a dream that Joseph’s father, Jacob, had during a critical moment in his life.

Jacob had a brother named Esau, and Jacob tricked his father Isaac into giving him the blessing of the first-born, even though Esau was the eldest. Esau became very angry over this deception and threatened to kill Jacob, so Jacob fled to live with his uncle Laban. This season marked a time of danger, uncertainty, and dramatic change for Jacob.

Genesis 28:10 (NIV) Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.

We should not gloss over what was happening in Jacob’s life at this moment. His brother was threatening to kill him, and his parents advised him to go live with his uncle in Haran, several hundred miles away. Jacob was clearly in a serious time of transition and was seeking God for guidance and encouragement.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

God wants to share His dream for your life, and I believe that happens when we seek God with sincerity. When we pray and ask Him to reveal His plan, He responds with direction, comfort, and hope. Seeking God during seasons of change positions us to hear clearly from Him.

Seek God for Direction

As Jacob journeyed toward Haran, God spoke to him through a dream that revealed both God’s presence and His promise. This dream was not only symbolic but also deeply reassuring, pointing Jacob toward a hopeful future despite his troubling present circumstances.

Genesis 28:12–13 (NIV) He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.”

In this dream, God reminded Jacob of the faithfulness shown to Abraham and Isaac. The promise of the land, first given to Abraham, was now reaffirmed to Jacob. This dream communicated hope and assurance even though Jacob’s present situation was filled with fear and uncertainty.

Genesis 28:15 (NIV) I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

Jacob had been living in Beersheba, part of the promised land, but now he was traveling to Haran outside of it. God promised protection, presence, and a future return, assuring Jacob that His purposes would not fail. God’s dream for Jacob included both guidance and a promise of fulfillment.

Genesis 28:20–22 (NIV) Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking … so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God … and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

This God-given dream deeply impacted Jacob’s life and encouraged him for the next fourteen years he spent in Haran. Jacob responded to God’s promise with commitment, worship, and generosity. We, too, must seek God’s dream for our lives and respond with faithful obedience.

Pursuing God’s Vision for Your Career

God has a plan and a dream for every aspect of your life, and one of the most significant areas is your career. God has work for everyone to do, and that work includes the job you do to earn a living. Whether you are a student, a working professional, or retired, God desires to guide you in meaningful and purposeful labor.

If you are still in school, your education is the first phase of the work God has for you. If you are retired, God still has work for you to do, though it may look different from previous seasons. God wants to channel resources, influence, and opportunities through your career to bless others and advance His purposes.

Ask yourself whether you see your job as an opportunity to serve the Lord. If not, ask God to show you His dream for your work and the lives He wants you to touch through it. When you ask God for clarity, He is faithful to reveal His direction and purpose.

God Gives Dreams

We have seen how God gave an encouraging dream to Jacob, and now we turn our attention to Joseph. Joseph’s dreams were God-given and revealed God’s future plans, even though they stirred conflict and misunderstanding in the present.

Genesis 37:5–6 (NIV) Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had.”

Joseph’s family situation was complicated, with multiple mothers, one father, and twelve siblings. He had recently given a bad report about his brothers and received a special robe from his father, which fueled resentment. At seventeen, Joseph was likely wondering what the future held, and God responded by giving him a dream.

Dreams Come in Many Ways

Genesis 37:7 (NIV) We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.

In this instance, Joseph received a literal dream during the night that clearly came from God. He was excited and shared it with his brothers, even though it intensified their hatred toward him. God sometimes speaks through literal dreams, but He also communicates in many other ways.

God may speak through the general principles of His Word, applying them specifically to our future. At other times, He speaks through the quiet whisper of the Holy Spirit or through trusted friends, church leaders, or family members. We must remain attentive to God’s voice wherever it comes from.

Dreams Come to Those Following God

Genesis 37:8 (NIV) His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

Joseph’s brothers quickly interpreted the dream and responded with hostility. Although the situation was painful, God’s plan was already in motion and would be fulfilled many years later. God gives specific guidance to those who are faithful in following His general principles.

When we practice the basics of our faith, we position ourselves to receive greater insight into God’s plan. Faithfulness in daily obedience prepares our hearts to understand God’s long-term purposes. God honors those who seek Him sincerely and walk in His ways.

Discovering God’s Vision for Your Ministry

Another important area where God has a dream for your life is your ministry. Your ministry is the area in which you serve God within your church family, using your spiritual gifts and abilities. God has uniquely designed you to help others grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Bible teaches that the church is the body of Christ, with each member playing a vital role. As each person fulfills their ministry, the whole church grows and reaches more people for Jesus. As you seek God, He will reveal His dream for how you are to serve.

When you faithfully do what you can today, God will increase your capacity and influence tomorrow. Ministry grows through obedience, humility, and dependence on God’s leading. God delights in revealing His purposes to those who are willing to serve.

Hold Onto Your Dream

Genesis 37:9 (NIV) Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”

Joseph’s second dream confirmed the first and added further detail about his future role. These dreams indicated that Joseph would rise to a position of leadership, with even his family bowing before him. Although Joseph did not yet understand it, God would use him to save the nation of Israel from famine.

The fulfillment of this dream was many years away and involved a difficult and unexpected path. God-given dreams often require patience, endurance, and trust. The journey toward fulfillment is rarely straightforward, but God remains faithful throughout the process.

Your Dream Will Face Opposition

Genesis 37:10 (NIV) When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”

Even Joseph’s father, Jacob, initially responded with skepticism and rebuke. This is often the case with God-given dreams, as opposition may come from unexpected places. Satan seeks to discourage and derail God’s purposes by planting doubt and fear.

For every dream from God, there is an opposing plan from the enemy. This opposition aims to convince the dreamer that the dream is impossible or foolish. We must hold tightly to God’s promises and refuse to let discouragement extinguish our faith.

Your Dream Will Encourage You

Genesis 37:11 (NIV) His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Jacob likely remembered his own encounters with God through dreams and chose to reflect on Joseph’s words. God-given dreams often come before seasons of testing to provide encouragement and hope. They help us see beyond present struggles to God’s future provision.

God gives dreams to help us endure hardship and remain faithful when challenges arise. These dreams serve as reminders of God’s faithfulness and as goals that inspire perseverance. When opposition comes, God’s dreams anchor us in hope.

Committing to God’s Vision for Your Family

The final area we must seek God’s dream for today is our family. If you are single, God has a dream for your future spouse and desires to guide you in that relationship. Marriage is not merely a personal choice but a divine calling shaped by God’s wisdom.

God also has a dream for how your family is to serve Him together. This includes how many children you may have and how you raise them to follow the Lord. As you commit to God’s plan, He will give you strength to persevere through challenges.

Persist in God’s dream for your family, trusting Him even when circumstances are difficult. God is faithful to help you keep your dream alive as you walk in obedience and faith. His plans are always rooted in love and purpose.

Conclusion: Renewing Commitment to God’s Dreams

Today, we have focused on God-given dreams and the truth that God always provides what we need to fulfill them. Many people fail to see these dreams fulfilled because they give up or become distracted by dreams that are not from God. God desires that we remain faithful and focused on His purposes.

If you already have a dream from God, today is an opportunity to renew your commitment to it. If there is an area of your life where you lack clarity, begin seeking God earnestly. God is eager to give you hope, direction, and a vision for the future.

We have discussed dreams related to career, ministry, and family, but God can give you a dream in any area of life. When you have a dream from God, you will always have hope for a great future. Hold onto your dream, trust God’s timing, and never give up.

📘 Continue the Journey

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