Peer Pressure & Hearing the Voice of God

Harvest of Asher Congregation - Akko, Israel

Peer pressure is not new. It takes many forms, as does our reaction to it. When pressured, we might be tempted to go against our own better judgement, belief system or understanding of what God has told us to do. We could find ourselves having to choose between what we believe is right and what is expected or even demanded of us by society, family, employers or governments, etc.

In the book of Daniel, we see the young Hebrew exiles Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego faced with these issues in Babylon. They received a position in the palace and were given favor by King Nebuchadnezzar, in spite of being Jews, outsiders. Suddenly, they were faced with the command to bow before a statue of the king – to treat him as a god. Talk about peer pressure! Word was sent throughout the empire to gather key leaders to be present for the dedication of the gold statue, towering 30 meters (100 feet) high. When the music began, all were to bow down.

For Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego to bow down would directly contradict the Word of God: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image ... you shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” (Exodus 20:3-5)

These three young believers had to take a stand, disobey an order and face the consequences in Daniel 3:12: “These men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Then they refused a direct order made by the king himself, who placed himself above their God. Their answer? “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

As they were being thrown into the fire, the situation turned upside down. Those who rushed to serve the king in his fury by pushing the Hebrews into the fiery furnace, were burned. As the king watched, God joined the three Hebrews in the furnace and the fire didn’t even singe their hair!

We need to walk the way these three exiles did – looking to the Word of God to guide us while listening for Yeshua's voice. We need the Spirit of God to bring us through these challenging times, while respecting each other and recognizing that people may be called differently.

There are many among the believers who have taken the COVID vaccination and there are many who have not; each as he has felt led. Yeshua did not come to judge the world but to save the world. This should be our attitude when facing the onslaught of opinions and non-stop discussion on COVID and the vaccine. Our place is not to judge one another.

Each one of us must develop an intimate relationship with God so that we can hear His voice individually. Only then can we be united during the trials to come as we near the end of the age and the appearance of the Antichrist.

Let us turn our eyes and hearts to Yeshua and may He return soon.