Have you ever had a troubling dream? Did you wonder just what it meant and why it disturbed you so? Often times in this world there is so much going on, one does not have a moment of peace or quiet to think. One is relegated to the time between sleep and the waking hours to ponder life. Even then, many are plagued by the “to do’s” for tomorrow. It is then that God may intervene with a troubling dream. One not understood by a typical person: a dream that troubles the dreamer. A few of those times come to mind that can be found in the book of Daniel. One such dream led a lost king, Nebuchadnezzar, to a revealing revelation (see Daniel 4). “I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me” (Daniel 4:5). He took the dream to his wise men, including Belteshazzar (Daniel) to help him understand. Daniel was the only one with the answer (for Daniel’s answer came from God). In that answer, Nebuchadnezzar was given a choice. “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity” (Daniel 4:27). Daniel asked the king to forsake (break off) his sin and iniquities, and he might live (lengthening of tranquility). Through time, King Nebuchadnezzar believed in God – but only after the dream became a reality. Daniel chapter four is a testimony of King Nebuchadnezzar’s journey to know the God of heaven.

Not everyone will have such a wonder-filled dream as King Nebuchadnezzar. His dream was to draw him to God, recognizing the king’s sin against God that needed to be forsaken. Many people experience revealing things in their everyday lives. Those cognizant will begin to question trying to understand why things “bother” (convict) them that previously had not. These things must not be ignored (as in the hardening of one’s heart: see Hebrews 3:15: “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation”). If this conviction is ignored, that one will continue in that lost condition. God has given each individual that option – to listen and adhere to that conviction (a call to change – repentance), or to continue on in one’s sin.

Once this conviction comes, a process needs to be fulfilled in each individual. First, there must be a recognition of sin in one’s heart and life. (“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.) Afterward, one must acknowledge that they are a sinner. This means this conviction in one’s heart reveals that they are lost (apart from Christ) and that there is a penalty for that sin – this is a call upon one’s heart to come out of that sin. (“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6:23.) Anyone who is drawn by God must make a decision. “44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:44-45). There must be a desire to correct the course of one’s life. One must find the Only Way (Jesus), and Christians are to be the ones to explain that Way (Jesus) to them clearly through His Word (the Bible). It is at this point that one (who recognized sin and felt the drawing of God) must act upon that information. This is called Faith. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Have you forsaken your sin, receiving Jesus, that you may live?