The God Who Is Near

In seasons of sorrow and loss, it can often feel as though God is distant from our pain. Yet Psalm 34:18 gives us one of the most powerful promises in all of Scripture: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” This sermon explores the depth of that promise by examining the verse word by word, revealing the character of the God who draws near to His suffering people.

We begin by considering who the LORD is—Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God who is eternal, sovereign, and faithful to His people. The comfort of this verse rests not in our strength, but in the character of the One who acts on our behalf.

Next, we examine what it means that the LORD is near. Though God is present everywhere, Scripture teaches that He draws especially near to His people in their suffering. In moments when our hearts feel most fragile, the presence of God becomes most precious.

We then consider the condition of the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. These words describe the soul that has been humbled by sorrow and stripped of self-reliance. Far from rejecting such hearts, God moves toward them with compassion and grace.

Finally, we see the promise that the LORD saves. The God who draws near to the wounded soul is also the God who delivers, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who was Himself crushed so that sinners might be rescued.

Psalm 34:18 reminds us that when the heart is broken, the Lord is not far away—He is near, and He saves.