So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

This guided meditation and prayer from Psalm 86 will help you stand strong by remembering and relying on God’s character and strength.   Get your FREE Praying with The Psalms Journal here.   Psalm 86 is a heartfelt prayer from David, who cried out to God while facing unjust attacks from his enemies. Though David confronted ruthless foes who sought to take his life, this prayer serves as a reminder that we all have enemies—whether external challenges, difficult people, or internal struggles such as sin patterns or negative thought cycles.   The Psalm encourages us to remember that God is greater than any enemy we could face.   Whatever "enemy" you may be confronting today, be encouraged that God is bigger and stronger. As you meditate on Psalm 86, allow these truths to deepen your trust in Him and strengthen your heart to walk faithfully in His ways.   You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation and the entire Praying with the Psalms series here.   Advent is coming. Get your free Advent guide here. This guide was made in partnership with Unhurried Living and contains weekly Scripture meditations, daily devotionals, reflection questions, and more. All to guide you through the Advent season at an unhurried and gracious pace. Get your Advent guide here: https://www.unhurriedliving.com/advent2024   Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.   Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 86:11-15, NIV 11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. 14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you. 15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided meditation and prayer from Psalm 46 will remind you that God is not shaken, and we can rest in him, even when our circumstances feel turbulent.   Get your FREE Praying with The Psalms Journal here.   In a world that feels increasingly turbulent—whether it’s the US elections, ongoing wars, social unrest, or other distressing events—it’s easy to feel like the ground is shifting beneath our feet. This uncertainty can weigh heavily on our hearts.   But Psalm 46 brings a powerful reminder: no matter how unstable things seem, God is our refuge and strength. He is a present help in times of trouble, and He has not lost control.   During this meditation, you’ll be invited to recognize what’s troubling you right now and bring it before God. We'll reflect on how God longs to help and sustain us, even in the midst of chaos. Then we will turn to God’s own words from Psalm 46:10—“Be still, and know that I am God”—allowing these words to bring comfort and remind us that God is good and sovereign.   We can rest in our Good Father’s care.   Take a moment to pause and remember who God is in the midst of your troubles. This meditation is here to help you know His peace and find rest in Him, even when the world feels out of control.   You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation and the entire Praying with the Psalms series here.   Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.   Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11, NLT 1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!   10 (God says,) “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.   Psalm 46:10, NET (God) says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided meditation and prayer from Psalm 130 reminds us that God is worth waiting on, especially when life feels chaotic and out of control.   Get your FREE Praying with The Psalms Journal here.   Psalm 130 begins: “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.” The Psalmist's distress is palpable, reflecting a situation that feels overwhelming—whether for himself or his entire community. It’s a cry that resonates with us today as we navigate personal struggles and the brokenness in our world.   In these moments, where do we turn?   The Psalmist invites us to turn to God, seeking His mercy and resting in His unfailing love. He points us to the gift of forgiveness, reminding us that God is not just a refuge but our true hope.   We all have areas of longing where we need God to move. This meditation will guide you to remember that in your waiting, God is the best place to turn. We’ll reflect on God’s forgiveness and how it leads us to deeper trust in His goodness. And we’ll seek His help as we continue to wait with hope.   You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation and the entire Praying with the Psalms series here.   Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jodieniznik/ Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.   Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 130:1-6, NIV 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 141 creates space to pray and seek God’s help, especially regarding our words.   Get your FREE Praying with The Psalms Journal here.   Ever wish you could hit rewind and take back something you said? Maybe it was a harsh tone, biting sarcasm, or a juicy piece of gossip. It’s easy to let words slip out—and once they do, it’s just as easy to wish we could take them back.   The truth is, those words that slip out might feel satisfying in the moment, but they often leave a bitter taste behind. As this Psalmist puts it, they’re like delicacies—tempting but not truly good or nourishing.   And in today’s divisive world, our words are more important than ever. How can we, as followers of Jesus, be people who use our words to extend God’s love and peace, even when we don’t agree with something?   That’s why I’ve prayed this Psalm for years. I want to be someone who uses her words well—someone whose words are trustworthy, kind, and full of love.   So I pray, “Lord, set a guard over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”   And God is faithful. He gives those gentle nudges to stop talking or to tread more carefully.   Heeding his nudge is still up to me, though, as it always is.   This meditation offers space to ask God for His help and protection as we seek to be people who speak words filled with love.   You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation and the entire Praying with the Psalms series here.   Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.   Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 141:1-4, NIV 1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. 2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 139 reminds us that God created us—and everyone around us—with beautiful intention and purpose.   Get your FREE Praying with The Psalms Journal here.   Ever wish God had made you differently? Or what about that person who seems to get under your skin... Do you ever think, If only they were a little different, life would be easier, right? But Psalm 139:13-16 reminds us that God was incredibly deliberate when he created you and everyone around you. He thought through detail—from the texture of your toenails to the timber of your laugh. And God calls his creation remarkable and wondrous. Even the details you aren’t particularly fond of. When we shift our focus from critiquing ourselves and others to thanking God for His handiwork, it transforms our perspective. This meditation will give you space to reflect on and recognize God’s beautiful design in your life, in the people you love, and even those you find hard to love.   You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation and the entire Praying with the Psalms series here.   Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 139:13-16, CSB 13 For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made., Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. 15 My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This Christian meditation and prayer on Psalm 71 reminds us of God’s power to restore and renew. Get your FREE Praying with The Psalms Journal here. Will God redeem the mess? Will He restore what’s been broken? Scripture gives a resounding “yes”—but restoration doesn’t always mean returning to how things were. God’s work is often about transformation, making something new from the broken pieces. If you’re feeling unsure about what God can do with your challenges, take heart. Your God is a God of restoration. This meditation reassures us that He is good, He is at work, and we can trust Him. You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation and the entire Praying with the Psalms series here. Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 71:19-21, NLT 19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? 20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. 21 You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This Christian meditation and prayer from Psalm 25 invites us to ask God to direct our steps. Get your FREE Praying with The Psalms Journal here. Is there an area in your life where you fear God could let you down? You aren’t alone. David, the author of Psalm 25, expressed this same fear to God when he said: “Do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me.” And then David reminded his soul that God is trustworthy; therefore, he would not be disgraced if he waited on God. This led David to pray the prayer we all need: Show me the way, Lord. If you’re facing something that concerns you and wonder how to move forward, take some time to meditate on and pray through this Psalm. God will show you the way. He will help you know how to move forward. You can trust him. You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation and the entire Praying with the Psalms series here. Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 25:1-5, CSB 1 Lord, I appeal to you. 2 My God, I trust in you. Do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me. 3 No one who waits for you will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced. 4 Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 37 will strengthen you to change your fretting into faith as you remember that God will bring justice in his time and way. Get your FREE Do Not Be Afraid Guided Meditation Journal here. Let’s talk about justice. Or, really, the lack of justice.   Evil seems to be winning. The underhanded always seem to get ahead. Injustices seem to go unanswered.   We fear God may never set things right.   But our faith says he will. Revelation 21 reminds us that a day is coming when all that is wrong will be made right. But until that day, we live in a world where the broken way seems to be advancing. Yet it is here, in this broken world, that Scripture exhorts us to lay aside our fears and trust God and his good plans. Psalm 37 is about laying aside our fretting and learning to wait well. I pray that as you meditate on this Psalm, your heart will be encouraged to turn your fears into trust. God has it under control. You do not need to be afraid.   You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation, and the entire Do Not Be Afraid series here.   Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here.   The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 37:1-8, NET 1 Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed! Do not envy evildoers! 2 For they will quickly dry up like grass, and wither away like plants. 3 Trust in the Lord and do what is right! Settle in the land and maintain your integrity! 4 Then you will take delight in the Lord, and he will answer your prayers. 5 Commit your future to the Lord! Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf. 6 He will vindicate you in broad daylight, and publicly defend your just cause. 7 Wait patiently for the Lord! Wait confidently for him! Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, a man who carries out wicked schemes! 8 Do not be angry and frustrated! Do not fret! That only leads to trouble! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Christian meditation from Matthew 6 will help you remember that God cares about your future and will meet your needs.   Get your FREE Do Not Be Afraid Guided Meditation Journal here.   Will there be enough for tomorrow? What if the economy collapses? Will I lose all I have? There’s no shortage of fears swirling around about the economy and our future.   While there is wisdom in preparing for our future through wise living and saving, we cannot let what we’ve stored away, or what we haven’t stored away, become an idol. Idols are false Gods, and they only make hollow promises. God is the only one who promises to truly take care of us. And God keeps his promises. Matthew 6 reminds us that if God cares for the bird's daily needs, he will also care for yours. As you meditate on Matthew 6, part of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, let it comfort you with the reminder that God will take care of you today and in the future.   You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation, as well as the entire Do Not Be Afraid series here.   Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here.   The entire meditation text is as follows: Matthew 6:31–34, NIV So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.   The other passages mentioned in this podcast are: Matthew 6:19-21, NIV 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   Matthew 6:25-26, NIV 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 23 will ease your fears about walking through difficult seasons.   Get your FREE Do Not Be Afraid Guided Meditation Journal here.   If we’re in a dark valley, we fear— Will we ever find the other side? Will life ever feel normal again?   If we aren’t in a dark valley— We fear we’ll be taken there soon.   The fear of living in pain, loss, and difficulty can be paralyzing.   There is no doubt we will all walk through difficult seasons. You already have. It’s a part of living in a fallen world in bodies that are breaking down.   And yet, here you are. You’re still standing. God has seen you through thus far, and he won’t stop here. Let that encourage you.   Let this meditation on Psalm 23 also encourage and remind you that God is good, he is with you, and he will guide you through all the twists and turns of life.   May you lay aside any fears that feel crippling and return your focus to God, who will be faithful to you always.   God is with you. He will never let you go, even when you must walk through a dark valley. You have nothing to fear.   You can follow along with a FREE printed guide for this meditation and the entire Do Not Be Afraid series here.   Here are some additional helpful links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Lectio Divina Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here.   The entire meditation text is as follows: Psalm 23, NET 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. 3 He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation. 4 Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me. 5 You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full. 6 Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.