Field Of Dreams: The Value Of A Dream

When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
'The Lord has done great things for them.'
The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad.

Psalm 126:1-3 (NASB)

After Babylon conquered Israel, after Persia overthrew Babylon, after 70 years of servitude, King Cyrus allowed the Jews to go home. They were stunned and overwhelmed by the news!

'When Cyrus published his decree in favor of the Jews, giving them liberty to return to their own land, and rebuild their city and temple. We were like them that dream - The news was so unexpected that we doubted for a time the truth of it. We believed it was too good news to be true, and thought ourselves in a dream or illusion' (Clarke's Commentary on the Bible).

Scripturally, how does a dream come true? If 'Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen' (Hebrews 11:1),

  1. Dreams in our heads create hope in our hearts.

  2. Hope in our hearts creates faith we can walk.

  3. Faith walks create a new reality!

Therefore, our dreams are precious and crucial.

Consider some influential dreamers:

  • 'We are such stuff as dreams are made on.'
     William Shakespeare, writer

  • 'I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.'
    Martin Luther King, Jr., clergyman turned world changer

  • 'There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not.'
    Robert Kennedy, U.S. Senator

  • 'Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.'
    Harriet Tubman, freedom fighter, “Conductor” of the Underground Railroad

  • 'Through hard work, perseverance, and a faith in God, you can live your dreams.'
    Ben Carson, neurosurgeon

  • 'All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.’
    Walt Disney, entertainment entrepreneur

  • 'I don't design clothes. I design dreams.'
    Ralph Lauren, designer

  • 'You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.'
    C.S. Lewis, atheist turned Christian author

  • 'If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.’
    Nelson Mandela, prisoner turned president

  • 'A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.’
    Colin Powell, general turned politician

  • 'Don't give up on your dreams, or your dreams will give up on you.’
    John Wooden, legendary basketball coach

  • 'You should never agree to surrender your dreams.’
    Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader

  • 'My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of Earth.’
    Abraham Lincoln, president

  • 'A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.’
    John Barrymore, patriarch of the Barrymore actors

Always remember, YOUR dreams are priceless.

Field Of Dreams: The Value Of A Dream (Part 1)

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

* Ezra, Chapter 1: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra%201&version=NLT

Carey Arban