“For a dream cometh through the multitude of business…” – Ecclesiastes 5:3

We all have dreams. Maybe it’s a vision for ministry, a calling to serve, a goal to provide for your family, or a deep desire to see God work in a mighty way in your life. But the reality is, dreams don’t just happen overnight. The desire that God has placed in your heart requires faithfulness, diligence, and persistence. A dream comes through the multitude of business—through hard work, effort, and perseverance.

Dreams Require Work

So many people give up too soon. They expect God to just drop the dream in their lap without struggle or effort. But the Bible teaches us that anything worth achieving comes through diligence. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 5:3, reminds us that a dream materializes through “the multitude of business”—the daily grind, the relentless pursuit, the consistent effort.

God often gives the dream, but He expects us to work for it. Consider Nehemiah, who had a vision to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. God put the burden in his heart (Nehemiah 2:12), but it didn’t happen instantly. He had to:

• Pray fervently (Nehemiah 1:4)

• Plan wisely (Nehemiah 2:6-8)

• Face opposition (Nehemiah 4:1-3)

• Keep pressing on despite hardship (Nehemiah 6:9)

Had Nehemiah given up when resistance came, the walls of Jerusalem would never have been rebuilt. But he knew that “a dream cometh through the multitude of business.”

Don’t Quit Too Soon

God may have put a dream in your heart—to start a ministry, launch a business, write a book, build a godly family, or step into a calling—but how many times have you been tempted to quit? The enemy would love nothing more than for you to give up. Satan knows that if he can discourage you early, he can rob you of the fulfillment of God’s plan.

This is why Paul exhorts us in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” The harvest will come—but only if we don’t quit.

• Keep working.

• Keep praying.

• Keep trusting.

• Keep believing.

God’s Dreams Are Worth the Travail

Look at the pattern throughout Scripture. Joseph had a dream, but it took years of hardship, betrayal, and patience before he saw it come to pass (Genesis 37-50). David was anointed king, but he endured wilderness seasons before taking the throne (1 Samuel 16-2 Samuel 5). Paul had a calling, but he faced shipwrecks, beatings, and trials before completing his course (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Why should we expect any different? The dream is possible, but it requires effort, faith, and perseverance. The greatest things God wants to accomplish through you will not come easily—but they will come if you keep pressing forward.

A Final Encouragement: Keep Going

Maybe you’re at a point where you feel exhausted. You’ve tried, but things aren’t happening as quickly as you hoped. Remember this: The dream comes through the multitude of business.

• Stay faithful.

• Stay focused.

• Stay fervent.

God did not place that dream in your heart for nothing. If He has called you to it, He will bring it to pass in His perfect time—but only if you don’t quit.

Press on. Keep going. The dream God gave you is worth the work.