The Promises of God (Part 3): God Is Near When We Are Broken

As we continue this series on the promises of God, we’re beginning with some of the promises that speak directly to the hardest seasons of life. Scripture doesn’t ignore pain, discouragement, or exhaustion. In fact, many of God’s promises are given specifically for those moments when people feel like they’re at their lowest.
Several passages throughout Scripture teach the same promise. God draws near to those who are hurting.
One of the clearest statements of this promise is found in Psalm 34:18:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (NLT)

When the Bible speaks about the “brokenhearted,” it’s describing people who are discouraged, spiritually exhausted, overwhelmed, or at the point of giving up. It can include grief, depression, deep disappointment, or the weight of circumstances that feel too heavy to carry.
Scripture doesn’t pretend those experiences don’t exist. Instead, it tells us something important about how God responds to them.

God’s Nearness in Pain

One misunderstanding people sometimes have about God’s promises is the expectation that God will remove every painful situation immediately. While God certainly has the power to change circumstances instantly, Scripture often describes something different. God promises His presence while we walk through the difficult times.
Psalm 34:18 doesn’t say that the brokenhearted will never experience pain. It says the Lord is close to them.
This means that even in seasons of discouragement or spiritual exhaustion, believers aren’t abandoned by their Father. God remains near to His people.

God Restores What Is Broken

Another verse that reinforces this promise is found in Psalm 147:3:

“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” (NLT)

Healing in this context isn’t limited to physical healing. It includes emotional healing and spiritual restoration. God doesn’t simply observe the wounds of His people. He restores what’s been damaged and strengthens what’s been weakened.
This healing may take some time, but Scripture assures us that restoration is part of God’s character.

God Supports Those Who Are Struggling

We also see this promise reflected in Psalm 145:14:

“The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.” (NLT)

When someone is spiritually or emotionally overwhelmed, the Bible describes God as the One who lifts them up. Instead of pushing the struggling away, God supports them through the struggling.
The following verse continues this idea. Psalm 145:18 tells us:

“The Lord is close to all who call him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.” (NLT)

Again, the emphasis is on God’s nearness. When people seek Him sincerely, He draws closer to them.

The Shepherd Who Carries His People

One of the most beautiful pictures of this promise in the Bible appears in Isaiah 40:11.

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms,
holding them close to his heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” (NLT)

This imagery teaches us something important about God’s character. A shepherd protects and cares for his flock, and lambs that are weak or vulnerable are carried close for safety. In the same way, God protects His people and holds them close when they are struggling.
He doesn’t abandon those who are hurting. He cares for them.

The Heart of This Promise

Taken together, these passages reveal a consistent message throughout Scripture. God doesn’t turn away from those who are discouraged, spiritually exhausted, or overwhelmed.
Instead, He draws closer to them.
The promise we see repeated in these verses can be summarized this way: even when people feel they are at their lowest, God pulls them near and holds them close.
That promise reminds us that pain and discouragement don’t separate believers from God’s presence. In those moments, His nearness often becomes more evident than it ever has before.

To help you continue following along with this series, you can use the Promises of God Study Tracker introduced in the first post. Note that we will not be going through the promises in the order that they are listed. Instead, we will be covering all of the promises by splitting them up into groups based on theme. Keep watch for Part 4!