God is with you
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:1-5

And Jesus Said:
I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you…Because I live, you also will live….Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. John 14:18, 19 b, 27 b

Affirms the Psalmist:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Likewise the Sprit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know who to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26

Isaiah wrote concerning God:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. for I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Said Jesus: Do Not Worry
‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry. Matthew 6:25-31a

The Psalmist suggests:
O send out your light and your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.

Why are you cast down, O m soul, and why are you disquieted within me: Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. Psalm 41:3, 5

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy  shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Psalm 23

God promises:
Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Jesus promises:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:25-26a

Prayer

Give us the confidence to trust you and your love for us, especially as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
May hope and love be our companions!
Show us how we are fearfully and wonderfully made, so that we may treasure our lives and those around us.
Shower us with the grace and love to care for others.
Help us to enjoy the gift of life richly, and allow us to be blessings to those around us.
May you be praised now and always. Amen and amen.