What Should I Do When I'm Afraid?

Jewish children were given names that honored the one true God. Before Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego arrived in Babylon, their names were Hananiah (“The Lord is gracious”), Mishael (“Who is what God is?”) and Azariah (“The Lord has helped”). In an attempt to indoctrinate them into the Babylonian culture, their names were changed to honor the false gods of Babylon. Hananiah became Shadrach (“command of Aku”), Mishael became Meshach (“Who is what Aku is?) and Azariah became Abednego (Servant of Nebo).

After God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, one of the very first commands He gave them was not to make any carved images and not to bow down and serve them. (Exodus 20:4-5) God commanded them, and us, to make Him the only God we worship. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had probably memorized those verses as children.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the apostle Paul tells us: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. When you are tempted to sin, remember God is faithful and will always give you a way of escape and a way to endure. In God’s timing, He will provide.