Introduction:
You're designed to dream big and believe for a bright future ahead of you. And when you base your dreams on God's Word, declare them in faith, and take action, you have a profound impact on your world.
In this eBook, you'll learn five ways to shape your outlook on the future. Through the story of David and Goliath from the book of 1 Samuel, you'll discover the difference between dreams that are based on faith and those based on fear and how to keep yours faith-focused.
Build a Dream of Faith
There are two kinds of dreams in life: one built by faith and one built by fear. For example, in the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel we see how Goliath shared his dream with the Israelite army. Which kind do you think it was?
You may say, "Well, that wasn't really a dream." But as this giant screamed at God's people, he began painting an image of defeat. He was speaking in pictures: the language of the heart. He'd shout things like, "I'm going to feed your bodies to the birds!" To imagine a swarm of these vultures scavenging carcasses on a battlefield is a sick, disgusting picture.
Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. "Why are you all coming out fight?" he called. "I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul… I defy the armies of Israel today! Send a man who will fight me!" When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.
1 Samuel 17:8, 10–11 (NLT)
Clearly, Goliath knew how to stir up fear. But do you know what's crazy? The Israelites listened to him! Not just once or twice, but day after day. These battle-trained warriors were shaking in their boots and saying to each other, "Did you hear what he said? He's going to kill us and feed our bodies to the birds!" They began to absorb Goliath's dream and share it amongst themselves. This fearful dream infiltrated the Israelite army to such a degree that no one would rise up or talk back.
We need to be careful what kind of dreams we allow into our lives. Refuse to let news headlines or someone else's negative words plant a fearful dream in your heart. Use your words to talk back to the fear and declare godly dreams in faith!
Declare Your Dream
If you were facing Goliath, what would intimidate you the most? The truth is, the real danger of this giant wasn't his height or heavy spear. It was his words.
You've probably heard the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." That is untrue; words are powerful. With only words, you can control a country, trap people in lies, communicate a world-changing idea, or bring about freedom.
"Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands."
1 Samuel 17:47 (NKJV)
For forty days, Goliath continually bombarded the Israelites with words of death and defeat. This fearful dream permeated the Israelite army and would have taken them down if they had continued allowing it into their hearts.
But guess who wasn't listening to all this? A young shepherd named David. He had been out in his dad's fields looking after sheep and worshipping God. So when he went up against Goliath with nothing but a slingshot, David talked back. He declared in faith, "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand... Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:46–47, NKJV).
We need to diligently guard the dreams God has placed in our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). When you're inundated with fearful words that go against God's Word, refuse to let those dreams take root. Instead, talk back like David did. Speak God's promises of protection, blessing, and favour. Declare that the battle is the Lord's and victory is assured!
Remember God’s Goodness
When Goliath spent forty days shouting threats at the Israelite army, he was communicating a vision of fear and defeat. Now, did the Israelites have reason to believe him? Was it possible for the Philistines to fulfill Goliath's twisted dream and take down the Israelite army? Yes.
But how many times had God miraculously rescued His people in the past? Over and over again, God conquered armies that were bigger and stronger than them. He parted the Red Sea, fed them with manna, and protected them with pillars of cloud and fire in the desert. Countries who saw the Israelites pass by were afraid of them, knowing God was with this group of people in a special way.
Yet somehow, the Israelites forgot what God had done for them. For forty days, they lived in fear as Goliath intimidated them into silence.
But when David arrived to deliver food to his brothers on the battlefield and heard what was going on, he was shocked. He said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (See 1 Samuel 17:26, NKJV.) What David meant was, "This man does not have a covenant with God. But I do." David declared that the same God who had delivered him in the past would do it again.
Moreover David said, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
1 Samuel 17:37 (NKJV)
When your dream comes against opposition, it's time to go back over your past and remember what God has done. Remind yourself of His goodness out loud. Use your words to declare the victory is yours in Christ!
Refuse to Accept Defeat
[David] picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
1 Samuel 17:40 (NLT)
Have you ever wondered why David picked up five stones? Was he worried about missing on the first try? Maybe.
But in 2 Samuel 21, you'll find that Goliath wasn't the only giant in the area. There were four others—either his sons or relatives—and it's possible that David intended to take them all down. In fact, verse 22 says he and his men eventually went on to kill those other giants one by one.
David had a big dream. Do you? Maybe it seems like the deck is stacked against you. But if God hadn't raised up David, Goliath's dream of defeat would have come to pass. Why? Because there was no one else speaking a different dream. You need to have a dream based on God's Word, speak that dream, and move toward it.
Now, when David took the first step toward Goliath, what happened? Did lightning strike or an angel leap down and destroy Goliath's armour? No. David simply used what was in his hand and did what he had practiced every day in his father's sheep fields: he threw rocks. And one rock took Goliath down.
When faced with a message of fear that went against God's covenant, David refused to accept it. He didn't argue with Goliath, he simply got up with courage and spoke a better dream. He declared that God would win—and that's exactly what happened.
Don't sell yourself or your God short. Use whatever God has placed in your hand and dare to dream of greater victories with Him!
Rejoice and Keep Dreaming
Has something caused you to stop dreaming?
Proverbs 13:12 says that hope deferred makes the heart sick. And Proverbs 17:22 (AMP) goes even further: "A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." When life knocks you down, choosing to get back up with joy and keep dreaming is like a dose of the best medicine around.
Maybe your current circumstances are making it difficult to picture a bright future. A loved one in the hospital, a failing business, or a feeling of being stuck can all take a toll on our dreams. But God has prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23:5)! His abundant joy, provision, and favour are yours, no matter where you are.
Choosing to dream and keep a faith-filled outlook may cause people to think you're not taking the situation seriously. But what do they mean by "serious"? Does that mean you stop living, loving, and hoping? Should you look like you've been sucking lemons all day? Not a chance!
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NKJV)
First Thessalonians 5:16–18 says God's will is for us to rejoice always, not just when things are going well. In the Passion Translation, it says, "Let joy be your continual feast."
It's time to crank up your joy and laugh again. Get out in the backyard and toss a football with your son. Play dolls with your little girl. Gather the family around the table for a meal and swap some jokes. Make a point to rejoice and keep dreaming. Why? Because your God is going to see you through!
Conclusion:
It's time to get a hold of God's dreams for your life and make them your own. You could have been born to a camel herder three thousand years ago in the backside of a desert. But you're here in this time in history for a reason.
Don't worry about being inadequate. Just use the skills, experiences, and wisdom you already have. David didn't go take sword lessons before he killed Goliath. When the situation arose, he simply used what was in his hand: a slingshot and a stone. And through his courage and faith in God, he brought down a giant.
Let's go over the five ways you can begin to dream big:
- Chapter 1: Build a Dream of Faith. Use your words to talk back to fear and declare godly dreams in faith!
- Chapter 2: Declare Your Dream. Speak God's promises of protection, blessing, and favour over your life.
- Chapter 3: Remember God's Goodness. Take time to remember what God has done in your past. Remind yourself of His goodness.
- Chapter 4: Refuse to Accept Defeat. Make sure your dream is based on God's Word, speak that dream daily, and move toward it.
- Chapter 5:Rejoice and Keep Dreaming. Never let your dream fade among the challenges of life. Keep it alive and continue working with God to walk it out!
Never lose hope or quit dreaming. You may have been knocked down, but God hasn't counted you out. He is raising you up with unique gifts and abilities, in this specific time and place, to see tremendous advancements for His Kingdom.The best is still to come!
