Come With A Dream ... And Leave With A Plan

Common Sense Commentary: "A dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words." Ecc.5:3.  As a letter or a life has a salutation and a valediction, this verse is the salutation of my many years of ministry.  It introduced me into the life of a Pastor and played a major part in whatever success I might have been used of God to accomplish.  A dream, hope, desire, goal comes true through the multitude, thousands, tens, hundreds of thousands of moments, hours, weeks, years, decades of business, planning, execution, effort, struggle, pain, sacrifice; but a fool's voice is known, recognized by multitude, volumes of endless words, words, words and more words but no action... no business ... no dreams come true.  The valediction of my ministry is Psm.115:1 "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake."

I.  We All Have A Dream

(1)  Wise King Solomon had a dream which he shared with Hiram, King of Tyre.  He said, my father, King David, was forced by his many enemies to defend our nation against them in numerous wars. Because my father had the blood of his enemies, and one loyal friend, upon his hands, our God would not let him build a holy Temple, house of God that He might dwell here among us.  Now, my father is dead and "the Lord hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence...." and I have a dream desire to build God a Temple, a house where he might dwell here in Jerusalem with us, His people. 1 Kings 5:1-4.

(2)  Wise King Solomon came to God with his dream and God sent him away with a purpose and a plan to fulfill his dream by a "multitude of business".  So Solomon told King Hiram, "Behold, I purpose (plan) to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name." 1 Kings 5:5.  Then Solomon laid out the plan, design, architectural plans and contents of God's house and he built it... now known as Solomon's Temple.

(3)  Wise King Solomon shared his experiences and knowledge of how great dreams and hopes come true through the multitude of business, planing and doing ... in Prov. 20:18 "Every purpose is established by counsel, and with good advice...."

II.  God Has A Dream and Plan For YOU!  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His PURPOSE (plan)."Rom.8:28.  God calls people to His Purpose and puts a yearning desire, a dream into our hearts "of things hoped for", to do  for Him. He Gives the "call", He gives the "dream", He gives the "faith", He gives the "plan" and He gives the "strength" to do those things "according to His Purpose."  The Apostle Paul defined it this way, "Faith is the .SUBSTANCE of things HOPED for, the EVIDENCE of things NOT SEEN." Heb.11:11.

III. Jesus Delivers the Dream and the Plan.  Jesus and His Apostles were across the Jordan River about twenty plus miles from Jerusalem and the small town where his good friend Lazarus lived near his two sisters, and was very sick.  The sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother was near death.  As critical as His presence there would have been, Jesus remained where He was and told his Apostles that He knew all about it and that Lazarus' sickness would not end in death but for the glory of God.  Two days later He told them that, indeed, "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, TO THE INTENT (that) YE MIGHT BELIEVE."  Jesus had a plan! His plan was to do something which would remove any doubts of who He was, strengthen all his disciples' faith and draw many lost souls to believe in Him.  Jesus told the Apostles that He would resurrect Lazarus before them all that God might be glorified and many would believe. John 11:1-44.

My dear friends, Jesus has a dream, a ministry, and a plan for your life ... and mine ... even after 81 years ... He still has a plan for me.  And no matter how old or doubtful or disabled or fearful you might be, He has a plan for your life ... so stop dying by default and live up to your dream.

Pass it on. RB