The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading PlanSample

Dream Weaver

As you approach the king’s throne, a swarm of whispers fills the room.

“Who does she think she is?” “She’ll never be able to do it.”

Striding steadily forward, and struggling with your own self-doubts, you wonder, “Will all these gawking eyes witness an execution or a miracle today?”

While these thoughts took place in your imagination, a similar situation occurred in Daniel’s reality. He stood face-to-face with an unpredictable despot, King Nebuchadnezzar, who had murdered many of Daniel’s family and friends during their exile in Babylon. Now Daniel’s own life was in danger (along with all the other scholars and key advisers of the nation) unless someone — anyone — could interpret the king’s strange dream. Daniel’s life depended upon being able to do what no one had been able to do — not even the king’s “wise men.”

Talk about stress. Daniel faced a seemingly impossible and dangerous circumstance requiring the utmost wisdom and bravery. Not only had he been exiled to Babylon (modern-day Baghdad), but now he faced an even more pressing drama.

How did Daniel handle this super-dramatic, high-stress situation? He coped with it by cultivating a close relationship with God and depending on God for wisdom and power (verses 20 – 23). When the drama heated up and he was asked if he could interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel did not talk himself up. He humbly responded, “No [one] can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (verses 27 – 28). Daniel invited God into his drama.

In the course of our lives, we’re sometimes called to deal with stressful or uncomfortable situations. You may work as the only female in your church’s leadership; you may care for your aging in-laws, who have never thought you were good enough for their son. No matter what the situation, the best way to handle it with grace and wisdom is to invite God to direct the circumstance. Let him weave your way through with his wisdom. Lean on his strength. Rely on his insights. You may not feel like you can handle the stress, but with God’s help, you can.

Taken from NIV Women’s Devotional Bible