Goshens, Hiding Place - Colossians 3:3

[TLHKAJ]

I want to share a recent dream I had ....fairly recent, about 2 or 3 months back.

I dreamed that I was walking out of the parking lot of a Wal-Mart Supercenter toward a shopping strip. And in the area between the Walmart parking lot and the parking lots for the shopping strip, there was a patch of tall pine trees. And when I walked into that patch of pines, it was like walking into an expanse of maybe at least 5 acres and a large building where believers were gathered. Ministry was taking place ...physical needs met, prayer, counsel ...but it was a way-station. People exiting the city were directed there by God, and prepared before being sent out ....either to minister, or to go out to other "Goshens" ...places God has prepared, set aside, and hidden for His people.

Anyone who walked from one parking lot to the other or who drove by, would only see a patch of pine trees. But the people of God could walk in and basically disappear into the place of safety. And when God directed someone ...walk this way, turn to the right or to the left, they would enter and find rest and safety and nourishment.

People were entering this place of safety, staying a little while, then heading on to other places prepared by God. But there was a handful who stayed there to minister.
(End of dream)
_____
My further comments....

If a person who isn't a believer was to walk through the patch of trees, they would simply come through the other side without knowing the Goshen was there. Someone pursuing a believer ....the believer would be directed by God toward the patch of pine trees and simply "disappear" (into the Goshen) whereas the pursuant would pass through the trees and be puzzled as to where the believer had gone.

I believe God has shown me this dream has a very literal application, of how He will move, provide, and use His people for ministry in these days and years we are entering. But there is also a spiritual meaning. HE is our Refuge, our Fortress, our Hiding Place. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)

@Nancy @Angelina @Lizbeth @Psalm-147:3 @lilygrace @Pearl @Always
@Heart2Soul

 

[TLHKAJ]

Psalm Chapter 91

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

2 Samuel 22:3
“The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.”

Psalm 9:9
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”

 

[TLHKAJ]

Psalm 46:1
“(To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Proverbs 14:26
“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”

 

[TLHKAJ]

Luke 21:36
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Daniel 11:32
“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

 

[Lizbeth]

I want to share a recent dream I had ....fairly recent, about 2 or 3 months back.

I dreamed that I was walking out of the parking lot of a Wal-Mart Supercenter toward a shopping strip. And in the area between the Walmart parking lot and the parking lots for the shopping strip, there was a patch of tall pine trees. And when I walked into that patch of pines, it was like walking into an expanse of maybe at least 5 acres and a large building where believers were gathered. Ministry was taking place ...physical needs met, prayer, counsel ...but it was a way-station. People exiting the city were directed there by God, and prepared before being sent out ....either to minister, or to go out to other "Goshens" ...places God has prepared, set aside, and hidden for His people.

Anyone who walked from one parking lot to the other or who drove by, would only see a patch of pine trees. But the people of God could walk in and basically disappear into the place of safety. And when God directed someone ...walk this way, turn to the right or to the left, they would enter and find rest and safety and nourishment.

People were entering this place of safety, staying a little while, then heading on to other places prepared by God. But there was a handful who stayed there to minister.
(End of dream)
_____
My further comments....

If a person who isn't a believer was to walk through the patch of trees, they would simply come through the other side without knowing the Goshen was there. Someone pursuing a believer ....the believer would be directed by God toward the patch of pine trees and simply "disappear" (into the Goshen) whereas the pursuant would pass through the trees and be puzzled as to where the believer had gone.

I believe God has shown me this dream has a very literal application, of how He will move, provide, and use His people for ministry in these days and years we are entering. But there is also a spiritual meaning. HE is our Refuge, our Fortress, our Hiding Place. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)

@Nancy @Angelina @Lizbeth @Psalm-147:3 @lilygrace @Pearl @Always
@Heart2Soul

Your dream reminds me of "the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and they are safe" (Prov 18).

Sounds like we will be entering the days of doing "exploits" doesn't it. I think maybe the main reason we don't see as many miracles in the west as in impoverished countries and places of persecution is because there has been less need for them up to now. But that is going to change, and God will be faithful to His flock, and glorify His name.

 

[TLHKAJ]

Your dream reminds me of "the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and they are safe" (Prov 18).

Sounds like we will be entering the days of doing "exploits" doesn't it. I think maybe the main reason we don't see as many miracles in the west as in impoverished countries and places of persecution is because there has been less need for them up to now. But that is going to change, and God will be faithful to His flock, and glorify His name.

YES! I love that verse, btw! I'd love for anyone who reads to post scripture related to God being our refuge. We need to encourage one another. Iron sharpening iron!

 

[Angelina]

Hi @TLHKAJ,

Thank you for sharing your dream. As always, I would encourage you to weigh everything by the Scriptures, but I found this dream very encouraging because its focus is not on fear but on God's care, guidance, and provision for His people.

What stood out to me first was that those entering this place were not finding it by human wisdom or planning. They were directed there by God. That reminded me of Isaiah 30:21: "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."

The Lord knows how to lead His people exactly where they need to be.

I also noticed that what appeared to be only a small patch of pine trees to everyone else became an entirely different place for those whom God led there. That immediately brought Psalm 91 to mind. The Lord has always had a secret place for those who trust in Him. The world may see nothing unusual, but the Lord knows how to hide, preserve, and care for his own.

The building itself seemed less like a permanent destination and more like a place of preparation. People received prayer, counsel, practical help, and refreshment before continuing where the Lord was leading them. That pattern is found throughout Scripture. The Lord often brings his servants aside to strengthen them before sending them out again.

I also found it significant that not everyone remained there. Some stayed for a season before moving on, while others remained to minister. That reminds me that the body of Christ has many callings, but the same Lord directs them all.

The reference to "Goshens" was especially interesting. In Scripture, Goshen was the place where the Lord preserved his people while judgment surrounded Egypt. It was a place where God's hand of protection and provision was evident. Whether your dream is pointing to specific places or simply revealing a principle of God's care, I believe it beautifully reflects his ability to prepare what people need before they even arrive there.

The dream also reminds me of what Jesus said in John 10. The sheep know the Shepherd's voice, and they follow him. They found it because they were listening to the Shepherd.

Perhaps the greatest encouragement I see in your dream is that the Lord already knows the way ahead. He prepares before we arrive, provides before we ask, and guides those who are listening to his voice.

I would hold the details with humility, but I think the overall message is one of great hope. It is a picture of the Lord faithfully shepherding his people, providing places of rest, strengthening, and fellowship, then sending them out according to his purposes.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." Psalm 37:23

Thank you for sharing this. It encouraged me because it magnifies the Lord's faithfulness. That is always a good place to begin when weighing a dream.

 

[TLHKAJ]

I want to note something interesting that in my town, a month after the dream, there was a large restaurant that closed and went up for sale, in the general area where the place of safety was in my dream, and a patch of trees nearby. It was a good visual for me ...and quite interesting. Idk for sure if the place in my dream represented my town but the visual is in front of my eyes.