Visions, Dreams, and Devotions
While reading through the New Testament recently during my daily devotions I was struck by the number of visions that the Apostle Paul received in his lifetime. Note the following….
Conversion on road to Damascus – Acts 9:1-7
Calling to Macedonia (Europe) – Acts 16:6-10
Personal security and courage in Corinth – Acts 18:9-11
Guidance to leave Jerusalem – Acts 22:12-21
Personal security and courage before Sanhedrin – Acts 23:11
Personal security and courage on board ship – Acts 27:23-26
Revelation of the Gospel – Galatians 1:11-12
Revelation of the Body of Christ – Ephesians 3:1-6
Vision of Heaven – 2 Corinthians 12:1-4
It is quite the list, is it not? Can you see the intimacy between Paul and the Lord Jesus that is illustrated in these? What a connection!
Now you might be saying to yourself, “Bummer, I’ve never had such an experience.” “Why was Paul so fortunate and not me?” And yet, you have the Holy Spirit – God Himself – living within you and you have His Word – the Bible – through which you and He can communicate every moment of every day. Why do you long for what you don’t have and neglect what you do have?
We can sometimes long for the ‘spectacular’ and take for granted or even disdain the commonplace, not realizing how very special and privileged we truly are.
Should God choose to speak to you through a vision or dream, “good on ya'” as our Aussie friends say. Or should He choose to speak to you through a passage from His living Word, “be blessed.” Both are legitimate means of communication for Him, with one being more common (frequently used) – the Bible, yet not to be dismissed in longing for something more unusual.
In fact, Peter, when recalling the spectacular vision of seeing Christ physically transformed into His glory, put it into perspective. “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:16-19)
Enter into you daily devotions with an expectation of meeting with the Living God, your Lord and Creator. Don’t overlook the usual and miss the great blessing of the pursuit of Him through the Scriptures.