January 16, 2026
Daily Devotional:
“The Nearness of God in the Shadows”
Psalm 34:18
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
In our culture, we often associate "closeness" with success or shared joy. We gravitate toward people who are thriving. But the economy of God’s Kingdom works differently. Psalm 34:18 reminds us that God has a special, preferential proximity to those who are suffering.
It’s the unexplainable feeling of being fragmented by grief, disappointment, or loss. To be "crushed in spirit" describes the sensation of being flattened by the weight of life, where the air feels thin and your strength is gone.
In those moments, you might feel like God is miles away and that perhaps He is disappointed in your lack of "faith" or that He has moved on to someone more productive. But the truth is the exact opposite.
God does not distance Himself from your pain; He is drawn to it. As a matter of fact, He is a God of the low places. Like a parent who rushes to a child when they hear a cry, God moves toward the sound of a breaking heart. He isn't thereto lecture you on how to get over it, He is there as a "refuge" and a Savior. He isn't watching from a distance, He is close enough to hear your whisper.Today, give yourself permission to not be "okay." If you feel broken or crushed, know that you don't have to fix yourself to get God’s attention. Your brokenness is actually the very thing that draws His presence near. Sit quietly for a moment and simply acknowledge His nearness, even if you don't feel a rush of emotion.
In what area of your life do you feel "crushed" right now? How does it change your perspective to know that God is leaning in toward you in that specific place?
Trust the promise, not the fleeting feeling.