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God Is Near to the Brokenhearted: His Presence in Suffering
Suffering can make Christians feel alone, distant from God, and uncertain about whether He is truly present. Yet Psalm 34:18 gives believers a steady promise: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”In this weekend reflection from Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins considers the nearness of God in suffering and why His presence must be understood through the truth of Scripture rather than measured by our changing emotions. God does not withdraw from His people when life becomes difficult. He remains faithful and present in the middle of pain, confusion, and waiting.This episode also points listeners to Jesus Christ, who entered into suffering and endured the cross. Because of Christ, believers can know that God is not distant from their pain and that all His promises are sure in Him. Suffering is real, but so are the presence, faithfulness, and promises of God.Listen or Watch
In This Episode
- What Psalm 34:18 teaches about God’s nearness to the brokenhearted
- Why our feelings are not the final authority in suffering
- Why God’s presence rests on His character and promises
- How God meets His people in the middle of trials
- How Jesus Christ assures believers that God is not distant from their pain
- Why Christians can trust God even when His presence is difficult to feel
Contending for the Word Q&A
Contending for the Word Q&A answers questions Christians face about theology, the Christian life, discernment, suffering, spiritual warfare, and other important issues from the truth of God’s Word. Explore More Contending for the Word Q&A Episodes Watch the Contending for the Word Q&A Playlist on YouTube
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
