They will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you. Jeremiah 1:19
 
Jesus prayed for his disciples: "I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours."   John 17:9
 
Jeremiah was a young boy when God came to Jeremiah and told him, "Do not say, 'I am just a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord." (Jeremiah 1:6-7)
 
In the verse from John Jesus is praying that his disciples be protected once Jesus is no longer with them in person. 
 
God is always with each one of us, just as he was with Jeremiah and with Jesus' disciples. God is with us even when we experience danger and other travails of life. We are his, and we bask in his love.
 
I think of times when we knew that the end was near for dear ones. Watching each of these leave this life with faith and hope in their souls lifted all who surrounded them with peace even when hearts were heavy. Faith in knowing that those who love the Lord are his children and will dwell with him in Heaven forever is an incomprehensible gift. We know that none of us deserves such a gift, but God gave it out of his abundant love for each of us, his children.
 
Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Thank you for being with us always and for forgiving us every time we come to you to confess that we have strayed. May we live in your love, knowing that we are yours. We pray that those dear to us will know your care and love. Amen.
 
Florence Smallfield