In the last month, I’ve had friends whose loved ones died from a variety of causes. All were unexpected. These deaths left people sucker-punched with grief and sorrow. 

This morning, as I was reading through the book of Exodus, I came across a single verse that stood out from the text. It brought me great comfort. God spoke to Moses and called him to a task that Moses thought was far beyond his ability to accomplish, or even endure. After Moses voiced his concern, the Lord said, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). 

Perhaps no other consolation carries such an impact as knowing that in our place of loss, sorrow, or feelings of inadequacy, we are never alone no matter what crosses the path of our life. The Lord is always present.