May 10: Dream Killers

"Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him.Then they said to one another, “Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!” (Gen 37:18-20)

There is a huge target on your back if you have a God-given vision. The enemy is seeking ways to destroy your vision, and if he can, destroy you in the process. Vision places you on the assassination list of Satan. This is because he is afraid of your dream and its potential. The assassination attempts of the enemy will even be more intense at the beginning stage of your vision. He knows there is no easier time to end a life than when it is tender. See how he tried to murder Moses and Jesus when they were babies. 

This is what was happening to Joseph in our text today. The dream God gave him was still tender. The potential of the dream was the preservation of Israel as a nation but while it was still pictures in Joseph's mind, the enemy sent in his assassination squad. I call them the dream killers. 

You have to watch out for these dream killers. They come in various shapes and form. They work directly through your weaknesses and also manifest through others. They could come through pleasure or pressure, complacency or hyperactivity. They show up as a pet sin or habit. They come as discouragement or conflict.  They manifest through people or circumstances. No matter the form they come in, their goal to kill your vision and stop you in your tracks.

Let's look at the dream killers that appeared in Joseph's path in our text. They were his brothers. This represents the people category of dream killers. They were motivated by jealousy and envy. When you have a big dream from God, Satan will try to use small minds to intimidate you. Some people will talk about you, criticize you and ridicule you. Some will literally plot your downfall. They are angered by your calling. They want to get you in the pit.

How do you handle people who seek your downfall? Understand that your real enemy is not people. Your wrestling is not with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers. Satan is the one motivating the people. So don't waste your time responding to people. Address the real source, Satan. Take authority over him in the name of Jesus. Command him to stop his harassment.

Second, see God at work in the situation. Satan has always been an unwitting tool in God's hands.   He crucified the savior not knowing he was carrying out God's plans to save the world. Joseph was sold by his brothers, but they did not know they were helping him further toward his dream. Sometimes you will discover that the betrayal of people meant to hurt you is actually God pushing you further in His plans for you. So entrust  all your situations into God's hands.

Confront any weakness in your life. The most dangerous enemy is the one who lives in your house. Many dreams have been aborted suicidally. The dreamer kills his own dreams by self-inflicted means. Is there an enemy's foothold in your life? This is more dangerous than any external opposition you will ever face. It is like having enemy spies in your territory and feeding them. Send them packing. They are not your friends but are there to ruin you.

Watch out for the dream killers. Protect your vision from them. They are around you. 

Decision of the Day

I know my God-given dreams puts me on Satan's most wanted list. I will be watchful for the dream-killers. I will protect my vision by God's help. I will watch out for internal and external enemies. My vision and I will stay alive no matter the resistance I face.