God Dreams of Restoration

By Alison, Covenant Keeper and Frequent Dreamer

How do you interpret the title of this article? Is the word “God” used as a noun, followed by the verb “dreams,” showing an action on the part of God? Or is “God” an adjective of the noun “dreams” implying the source of a dream as coming from God? The answer is that both are correct! And such is the ambiguous nature of dreams.

Dreams can often be bizarre, perplexing, and even humorous, leaving people feeling as though they might be losing their minds or that they must have eaten something bad before bed. Dreams can also be profound experiences inciting emotions ranging from fear and anxiety to peace and joy. Some people dream often and recall much, while others rarely recall dreaming at all. Some people put a high value on dreams and seek to interpret them, while others discount them as nonsense. Some would argue that putting stock in dreams and attempting to interpret them is of New Age spirituality and not biblical. Considering this diversity in the experience of dreaming and people’s perceptions, what should we make of our dreams?

Is dream interpretation biblical and for today? The late John Paul Jackson, Bible teacher and dream interpreter, points out that nearly one third of the Bible relates to a dream or vision; interestingly, we also sleep approximately one third of our lives. Numerous biblical figures like Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, Ezekiel, and John had significant prophetic experiences in the form of dreams and visions. But why would God choose to speak to people in dreams? The Bible states in Job 33:14-16 that “For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction.” Perhaps God chooses to speak to us in dreams because our minds are not distracted when we sleep. How many times might you have missed His “still small voice” because your mind wasn’t quiet enough during your waking hours to perceive it?  If God speaks to us in dreams, then why are they often so confusing? While here on earth, Jesus often taught in parables that bewildered many. His goal, however, was not to confuse people, but to separate true followers from the multitude. Those with a heart after Him seek understanding of the parables, while those not committed to Him reject his teachings as nonsense. Proverbs 25:2 states that, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”  Believers, as His kings and priests, must be diligent in seeking out His truths, both in the written word (logos) and in divinely inspired words (rhema) of which include God-given dreams.  

At this point, you may be asking, “How is all this related to marriage restoration?” The answer is that God dreamed of my marriage restoration well before I did. The first "God Dream" that I recall, after my divorce in 2014, revealed to me the reality and magnitude of the spiritual battle that my husband is facing and was a clear call to stand in the gap for him. Other significant God Dreams have revealed to me my husband’s bondage, the enemy’s strategies, and my husband’s future freedom and healing. I've been shown a false start, inspired by the enemy to take me out. I even saw my husband’s son, who had yet to be conceived. Would you think I’ve really lost it if I told you that these dreams involved a tornado, cars, boats, semi-trucks, a basketball, a pool table, and animals galore including cats, birds (one wearing a collar and a hat), a giant fish, rabid dogs, a polar bear, and a small shark? Because of my dreams, I have had to ask myself things like, "Is it possible to steer a car while driving the car following behind it?" "Can a baby being thrown off a bridge be a good thing?" In a dream, the answer is, “yes!” God Dreams are often symbolic, with much more meaning below the surface, that requires a little digging.  
     
God continues to both puzzle and amaze me simultaneously as I seek to study and interpret the meaning of my dreams and those of others.  Much of my learning to interpret dreams has actually been hindsight, but the practice continues to improve my foresight.  As a result of my dream experiences, I have confidence in God’s expected end for this phase of my life. I’ve seen enough dream imagery come to pass in the natural that my faith for marriage restoration, and not just for my own, has increased from that of a mustard seed to that which can move mountains. Testimonies of marriage restoration glorify God because it’s ultimately not my story, or yours, but His story... that by His grace is being dreamt into existence in our lives. I implore you not to discount your dreams too quickly, but to write them down and search them out, as God may be speaking to you too in the night season. May God bless your dream life!