Sweet Dreams

Genesis 40:5-7

^... each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.

 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected.  So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”

“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

Are your dreams ever so frightening you wake up from them filled with anxiety you cannot shake off? Sometimes I have dreams which seem real; as though I experienced a glimpse into the future. A short time after waking, I forget what they were about; but still, the anxious feelings remain.

The Lord often used dreams to help His people move forward, or to turn them in a different direction. Dreams are mentioned in the Old Testament many times. Often, God spoke into the hearts of those he loved, while they were asleep. Perhaps they were more open to hearing Him then.

It is said we all dream, but we don't always remember them. Those we do recall in the morning don't make much sense. Often our dreams are fanciful; anything but real, yet they can haunt our waking hours.

There are also dreams we want to repeat. After loosing a loved one we might see them, interact with them one more time. These dreams give peace and comfort. When we awaken we are disappointed it was only a dream, but there still remains the comfort of having 'heard' their voice one more time.

Joseph understood dreams and had the gift of interpretation. We was able to tell the two officials what their meanings were. One man was happy with the results, the other - not so much. 

It is important we realize that dreams aren't reality.  They might reflect something that has happened, or they could manifest those things we fear, but they aren't real. As the words to the Disney song go, "Dreams are a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep." I'm good with that meaning.

Genesis 40:5-15