The wily old monarch of the Old Testament – Nebechudnezzar – had a dream one night that scared him so badly that although he couldn’t remember the dream, the horror of it wouldn’t let go of him. He had to know what he had dreamt and what it meant to his kingdom.

Summoning his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers he demanded an interpretation of his nightmare. “Fine,” they replied. “Just tell us the dream and we’ll tell you what it means.”

“Can’t remember the dream,” he replied. “But you’ll give me both the dream and its interpretation or I’ll have your lives.”

“Not fair” they wailed. “No one on earth can tell the king his dream! And no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer! 11 The king’s demand is impossible. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they do not live here among people.”  Daniel 2:10,11 New Living Translation

We commiserate with their dilemma, but have to laugh at their faulty analysis. Of course there is a God who can do what is being asked … and of course he resides here among his people. In actuality, He lives within them!

Lesser gods are totally incapable of handling such ‘impossibilities,’ but our God takes the impossible in stride. And this good news is twofold. This God, our God, is able and He’s readily available!

So while other gods are rewriting their resumes, our God is sometimes quietly, but always powerfully doing what they cannot do. While they are busy making up excuses for their impotency, our God is doing more than we can ask or even imagine. While they look for slight-of-hand, smoke and mirror responses to need, our God is meeting those needs.

This week you may be challenged with a ‘can’t do’ assignment. You may be asked to do the unimaginable. The task may call for you to “ … crush an army or scale a wall.” (Psalm 18:29) The story for us is never about what we can’t do, but what God can do with us, in us and through us. Take courage!

May you enjoy joy and confidence for your journey!