So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

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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!”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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