The longest running reality television show was started in Great Britain in 1964 and inspired by the quote, “Give me a child until he is seven and I’ll give you the man.” The series was called “7up” and featured 14 seven year old Liverpool students who were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Then every seven years the show would check back with these kids and see where they were in their lives. So when Peter Davis, age seven, was asked what he wanted to do when he grew up his immediate response was “I want to be an Astronaut.”

Suffice to say that Peter Davis did not become an Astronaut but rather became a teacher who eventually left the profession due to his frustration with the teaching curriculum and his disillusionment. Moreover his marriage ended in divorce and he later started a rock and roll band in an attempt to recapture his youth.

Now 56 and remarried, but facing a life filled with disappointment and regret, Michael got back into the reality program after being absent from the show for many years. The question we need to ask is what happened to Peter Davis’ dreams? I sat there and thought no doubt there is a little bit of Peter Davis in all of us. But I come tonight to make sure you keep your dreams, and I am telling you that maybe you won’t become an astronaut but there are still dreams to be lived because God put those dreams in your hearts. They are not only your dreams but God’s and you are the steward and keeper of those dreams.

I don’t want you to be like Peter Davis and have only two words written about you---regret and disappointment. I want to hear fulfillment and destiny and a dream that’s flowing from your heart so much that God says, “That’s my boy or that’s my girl.” But the moment that dream comes into your heart it starts to come under siege from all the negative thoughts that come into your heart like your hurts, past experiences, getting too old, and fears.

I once saw a reality show where a girl wanted to become a star but somewhere along the line she did something really wrong. Her grandmother called her and in front of live television she told her “You’ll never amount to much. I knew it. I could have told you that you are going to end up worthless.” Can you imagine what that will do to this girl’s heart and soul?

There is a story in the Bible in which a man’s dreams are renewed and also tells how we can take away those siege weapons assaulting our hearts. In Gideon’s time Israel is a conquered nation where dreams of the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey have died. Gideon is also discouraged and disappointed at the turn of events in his life. However, God saw something in the heart of Gideon and just as when He sees you down and out, He shows up.

THE PERSON WHO HAS LOST HIS DREAM NEVER SEES HIMSELF AS GOD SEES HIM.

One day as Gideon was threshing wheat in the cave an angel appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you.” (Judges 6:12 NLT) God saw something in Gideon and he also looks into your own heart and sees a dream in you. Rightly so, God turns up when He sees discouragement in your life. Indeed He wishes encouragement in us because He believes in you.

“‘Sir,’ Gideon replied, ‘if the Lord is with us, why all this has happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, “The Lord brought us up out of Egypt?” But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.’” (Judges 6:13 NLT) You can tell where your dreams are at by the words that come out of the well of your heart. Is it criticism and negativity like how Gideon expressed himself to God?

“The Lord said to him, ‘I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.’” (Judges 6:16 NLT) God whispers encouragement in your time of need despite your negativity. Do you hear the whisper for your dream?

Still negative, Gideon asked for two confirmations from God because of his doubts. He told God that if the fleece that he put down in the field was wet and the grass dry in the morning then he would know that God was with him. The next morning Gideon squeezed out a whole bowlful of water from the fleece. Yet Gideon asked God for a second confirmation whereby this time the fleece would be dry and the grass wet in the morning. The next day Gideon found the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew.

God then told Gideon to “tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it and build an altar to the Lord your God on top of this rock….” (Judges 6:25-26 NKJV) In essence God is saying the restoration of the dream is partly up to you. God is not solely responsible for your dreams. You have to do your part.

How does God restore the dreams of your heart?

1.  Tear down the images of your past and rebuild new images. Don’t just remove fear and doubt but also build something positive in its place.

2.  Your capacity to dream is rebuilt step-by-step, and God is patient. Your dream was pulled down slowly over time so God is patient and wants you to take your time.

3.  God will place you in a situation where your dream is dependent upon him.

The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight.” (Judges 7:2-3)

“… the Lord told him, ‘Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.’ Only 300 of the men drank from their hands.”

Go God selected only 300 men to go out and fight the Midianites. Now Gideon knew that victory was in God’s hands and not his. So you’ve got to be totally reliant on God.

What are the dreams that you need to resurrect today?

It’s more than tearing down the negative things and building something positive in your life. You might have dreams for your family, your children and your business; but you have to be dependent on God because His dreams are always bigger than you. You have to get down on your knees and say, “God I haven’t got anything left. You are the holder and the keeper of my dreams. I’m just giving it all to you.’” Then God says, “Now I can work with you.” And he comes and resurrects that dream that you always had. God is for your dream. Are you?

Study Suggestions

1. What should we tear down?

2. What should we rebuild?

3 How is our capacity to dream built?

4. What are some of the dreams you need to resurrect?  Why?

5. What is holding you back from your dreams?

6. What is helping you achieve your dream?