The previous study began our look at how Daniel's companions had to live under pressure - the pressure of new responsibilities, national fervour and personal accusation. We start by continuing this look at their "life under pressure". Please read again the section from the book of Daniel
4. Living under the pressure of Unpredictable Leadership
Most people would agree that it is easier to have dealings with people if you know where you stand with them on issues. But Nebuchadnezzar was an unstable man whom God would eventually remove from office (Dan 4:28-33). He could blow hot and cold in very quick succession. There was an evil side to him, which caused him to change (Dan 3:19-20).
Q
How do we deal with and how can we be prepared for the unexpected? And how do we cope with unstable people?
5. Living under the pressure of Facing up to Death
There are not many of us, in the UK at least, facing possible death for what we believe, but the three companions of Daniel were living constantly under this pressure (Dan 3:6) despite their high office (Dan 2:49). Look at the faith and prophetic stand of the three in the face of this (Dan 3:16). Discuss this in the group.
6. Living under the pressure of a Delaying God
There would have been easier ways for God to respond to their prophetic faith than to rescue them at the last minute in the fiery furnace (Dan 3:25-26)!
Q
What must have been going through their minds as they were tied and cast into the furnace? Had they got it wrong? Had God let them down? Have group members any experience of God answering their prayers, but only at the last minute or after a long delay? What do we learn from this (eg what else was going on through the agency of this miracle?)?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had the resources to deal with these pressures and we need them too!
1. The resource of the Friendship of the Team
They were not alone! 12 times (2:49; 3:12,14,16,19,20,22,26,26,27,29,30) they are reported as being together. Together they could face things which alone might have been too much for them.
Q
What positive experiences have members had of working in a team? What can we learn, practically, which will help us in the Christian life if we can work together as a team?
2. The resource of the freedom from the need to justify themselves.
We might have been very different from these three in their response (Dan 3:16). There was plenty that they could have said but they chose not to.
Q
It is natural enough for us to put up a defence whenever we find ourselves under critical scrutiny. But do we always need to? Discuss in the group when we should and when we should not seek to defend ourselves.
3. The resource of their Faith in God
Their trust in God is unshakeable - "God... is able to save us... and he will rescue us... but even if he does not..." There should always be a difference between the Christian and the non-Christian in so many ways. Here's a poor contemporary example by contrast with the plight of Daniel's companions but at least it's current. Payne Stewart was USA's most accomplished golfer of recent years. He was 42 and winner of this year's US Open. When criticism was being heaped on the US Ryder Cup team for the way this year's cup 3-day event was spoiled (in the eyes of many) by disgraceful scenes on the 17th green while Europe's player was still to putt, Europe's Colin Montgomery was quick exempt Payne Stewart altogether from this criticism. "Payne was a gentleman through and through. He couldn't have been more thoughtful." Playing against Monty he had championed the European's cause as Monty was being verbally abused around the course, getting U.S. marshalls to eject certain troublesome spectators at one point and then conceding his own match to Monty at the last hole without even putting himself because he felt that Monty had been unfairly treated. On October 25th 1999 Payne Stewart tragically died with 4 others as a Lear Jet in which he was travelling apparently suddenly depressurised causing crew and passengers to lose consciousness. 4 hours and 2000 miles later the plane ran out of fuel and crashed in South Dakota. The world watched again the happy scenes involving Payne and his family earlier in the year, but it had not always been so: his early career in the 80's was dogged by displays of bad temper for which he tried several useless remedies and in the early 90's by ill health. However the most fitting memorial comes from his speech after winning the Open at Lyndhurst this year: "My faith has helped to put me on an even keel. I have made my peace with God. I go out onto the course and I'm not worried about what's going to happen. I'm going to be taken care of." Prophetic words!
4. The resource of their Fellowship in the Furnace
In the heat of the furnace they had, it seems, the very presence of Jesus with them (Dan 3:24-25)... and for others to see.
Q
In the world it is said: "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Isn't that even more true of the Christian life? Is the presence of Jesus not even more real in such situations?