Psalm 126:1
“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.”
Someone says, “Pinch me, so I can make sure that this is not a dream.” That is the common phrase you hear when someone experiences something good. They say this because they really didn’t believe that what happened could have happened. It was a hope and a dream, but the reality of it just didn’t seem possible.
The children of Israel must have felt the same way. They said, “…we were like them that dream.” They couldn’t believe their captivity was turned around. They suffered many years in the land of Babylon, and they accepted that they would live the rest of their lives in captivity. Yet, when the LORD turned their captivity around, they felt like they were living in a dream. Can you imagine what it must have been like when they got back to their homeland? Can you see them walking around looking at the sites of their country? Sure, it was not like it used to be, but they were home.
Many people have dreams for their life. Often, many give up on their dreams because of time and hardship, but if God gives you a dream, then you should be sure to keep it alive and pursue it until God gives it to you. Yes, when it comes, you may feel that you are living in a dream like Israel did, but it can happen. There are several things you can take from this psalm that will help you to not let your dreams die.
First, you will notice that there was hardship before the dream was realized. The children of Israel were in captivity. You may not be in captivity, but before your dream will ever come to pass, you will have to endure hardships. No dream is truly a dream without hardship. If you got everything you wanted without hardship, then the dream would no longer be a dream. It’s a dream because it seems as if it could never happen. Don’t let the hardships cause you to give up on your dreams.
Second, you will notice that the dreams didn’t immediately come. The children of Israel were in bondage for many years. Though the years went by, they still held on to the hope that they could go back to their homeland. You must be careful not to let time take away the hope of your dream. Many people have gone years without the realization of their dream, but they kept it alive. When the hope of your dream is almost gone, let me encourage you to hang on. Don’t ever lose hope in your dream.
Third, prayer preceded the realization of their dream. You will never realize your dream without prayer. Too many times we give up on our dreams, but we never even approached the throne of God in prayer to ask Him for help. Let me ask you, have you asked God to make your dream a realization? Dreams come to life through prayer.
Fourth, be sure to plant the seeds for your dream to be realized. Keep working towards your dream. Prepare, plan and work to make your dream happen. God can certainly answer your prayer to see your dream come to life, but He also expects you to work towards it.
Friend, when the dream comes it will bring joy and laughter, but until then you must not let it die. What is the dream on which you have given up? Let me encourage you to pick it up and keep working towards it. The best of dreams will only be realized if you don’t give up on them.