October 29

Read: Joel 2:27-29

I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and… your old men shall dream dreams (Joel 2:28).

Your Old Men Shall Dream Dreams

It is normal for all old men to dream dreams. But the Spirit of God makes a difference in the kind of memories that fill the minds of the aging.

There are old people who must forget great sections of their lives in order to remain sane. No man can dwell long on the sins of the past. Selfish actions, unkind words, and lifelong indifference to God are not the stuff of which satisfying dreams are made. With such background a man dare not dream; he can only run from his memories.

But God has not planned this kind of sunset years for His people. “The way of the wicked is as darkness… But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:19, 18). When the Holy Spirit fills a human life He brings radiant vision for youth, satisfying service for mature years, and contented dreams for the aging.

A few months ago a friend and his wife stopped with us overnight. He had retired from the active ministry but before settling down he wanted to make this special journey. He was visiting his children, who were Christians; and he was stopping a few days at each church where he had served as pastor. Here were the makings of Spirit-inspired dreams. Paul never knew inactive retirement, but he penned the radiance of a moment taken out to dream when he wrote: “The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (II Timothy 4:6-7).

Prayer For Today

Spirit of God, so fill my active years with a life that is pleasing to Thee that the years of dreams may be filled with Thy peace.