This week, I heard the news that a friend had lost her husband of only a year to a tragic, almost impossible-sounding accident. I don’t know her well, but I do know that this relationship was one that had helped to restore some of her broken places, one of those being the deep scar left from the senseless loss of her son, some years ago.

My mind can’t begin to grasp the depth of her pain, and she’s been heavy on my heart. The good news is that she is not alone in her grief, and neither are we. In the deepest valleys of despair, He is there.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit. ~ Psalm 34:18 ESV

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. ~ Revelation 21:4 ESV

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. ~ Psalm 147:3 ESV

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ~ Psalm 73:26 ESV

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away. ~ Psalm 31:9-10 ESV

Are you tired? Worn out? …Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. ~ Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn
    through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
    each ache written in your book. ~ Psalm 56:8 MSG

…I, your God,
    have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
    I’m right here to help you.’ ~ Isaiah 41:13 MSG

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. ~ Joel 2:25 ESV

Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. ~ Psalm 139:12 ESV

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
    to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
    If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
    to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
    you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
    At night I’m immersed in the light!” ~ Psalm 139:7-12 MSG

Don’t panic. I’m with you.
    There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
    I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. ~ Isaiah 41:10 MSG

God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner
    right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life. ~ Psalm 23 MSG

[Even when He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead] Jesus wept. ~ John 11:35