So there are people who are known as “yes men.” Whatever the leader requests of them, they say “yes.” Sometimes the leader has a bad idea. Rather than tell the leader the idea is bad or wrong, these people compromise. It’s like that Aesop fable about the emperor’s new clothes. Leaders don’t understand until someone lets them know they are naked.
The dream had been revealed by the God of heaven through his servant Daniel to the king of Babylon. The king, so amazed and taken aback by the prophecy declares the power of Yahweh, God of the Hebrews. So impressed is he by this that he promotes not only Daniel, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
The fact his kingdom was represented by the head of gold made an impact on him, apparently, because in the very next chapter he decides to commission an entire statue of gold! What was meant for good Nebuchadnezzar would turn to evil. He should have recognized the power of God and magnified Him, instead he chose to ignore Yahweh and magnify himself. The “yes men” of his kingdom told him it was a good idea. Thus the construction of the expensive and expansive waste of national resources was under way. And at its completion, the king command the people to worship.
Pressure, peer pressure, is an incredible motivator. It was the peer pressure of my friends that me jump off a diving board the first time in my teens. It was peer pressure from my friends that helped me write a book. Peer pressure is not all bad. The same pressure that can burst pipes, also makes diamonds. The choice lies within us.
When the music starts and peer pressure, mounts, we all respond one of two ways. If we are choosing to love God and obey his word, we will respond with conviction. But if what people say has become more important to us, then we will respond with compromise. Peer pressure compelled the Babylonians to bow and the Hebrews to stand.
Many of us have to learn the important lesson of living with pressure. Pressure for some of us is how we live our days. The culture of this world is constantly at odds with what the Bible says and who you want to be. Pressure is the natural part of life. How we respond to pressure will signify whoa we are and how we want to live.
In the book of James it ways that we are to count it all joy we fall into various trials, or pressures, because the testing of our faith produces patience. There is a developmental aspect to pressure. Pressure is designed to make us better, obedient, and trusting in God.
James goes on to say that when we let patience have its perfect work, the outcome is completion and we would lack nothing. Really? If I can find joy in my pressures (trials) I can be made perfect and complete? Then bring on the dangerous demands. I’ve got God on my side.
Prayer Activity
- What happens when you’ve experienced peer pressure in your life? Explain.
- How do you find joy in your pressured circumstances? Share with your family/prayer partner.
- Pray that you will be able to find joy and peace in the pressures/trials of your life.