Perhaps you’ve heard it said, “If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together, but if you want to go farthest go with God.”  

When my kids were old enough to understand, we told them the story of Shadrach, Meshach and To-bed-we-go.  (Of course, they knew his real name was Abednego – but when the story ended – well you get the point!)  These were young men from Israel who together, refused to worship the pagan god of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3).

Even though these three men were threatened with death, together, they stuck to their guns.  Together, they said they would only worship, only go, with the one true God.

Speaking of going with God, isn’t it great to know that God always goes with us!  In the Old Testament, God encourages us saying, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10).  And the very last words Jesus spoke on earth were, “I am with you always, even to the end of time” (Matthew 28:20).

I can’t imagine anything more comforting than this!  Having Jesus with us.  Yes – with me and with you. Right next to you.  Alongside you.  Near you.  To make it even more clear, the Bible says that God’s right hand holds our right hand (Isaiah 41:10-13) and the only way that can happen is when God is facing you.    

In the book of Daniel, we see Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego make the king so angry that he stokes his furnace to seven times hotter than normal, and has these men tied up and thrown in to be burned alive. Funny thing about furnaces, is we often find ourselves all tied up, feeling stuck in fry pans or fires as we go through life.  Troubles, sickness, and problems can sometimes feel like they are trying to burn us alive too.

Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and asked his advisers, “Did we not throw three men, firmly bound, into the fire?” “Certainly, O king,” they replied.  “Look!” he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like the Son of God!”

As the king called the men out of the fire, he worshipped the God who was with them.  And this God, our God, Jesus, is the same God who promises to be with us, always.  Yes, Jesus is with us right now – no matter where we are.  Jesus is with us, no matter what we may be going through.

Jesus wants to take you farther than you ever thought possible.  He wants to hold your hand and be right next to your heart.