Knowing how to get started reading the Bible can be tricky. But don’t get discouraged! No matter how far you’ve come in your faith, everyone has struggled with reading the Bible at some point. That’s why we put together some Scripture meditations like this one to help you get started.

 

Feeling Weighed Down?

When it seems like the world’s against you, you can be sure of one thing: God’s in your corner. 

Even then, it can feel real crappy when other people’s skepticism and doubt leaves us feeling weighed down, dampening our ambition to chase a passion we believe God gave us.

But let’s stay humble and open to God’s guidance, trusting that if it’s really something he has for us, nothing is going to get in the way. 

Join us in this meditation through a portion of Romans 8 for a reminder!

Romans 8:31–34

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 

34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Observations from the Text

  • God is for us (v. 31) 
  • God is SO gracious to us (v. 32) 
  • God is the one who decides what’s right (v. 33)
  • Because of Jesus, we don’t face condemnation (v. 34)

Prayers of Response

God, I feel like there are lots of people “against” me when it comes to  _________.

Even though at the time I believed it was a good idea for me to  _________, I see now that the opposition I faced was probably you trying to protect me.

Prayer Requests

My Guide, please make it clear if my desire to _________ is part of your plan for me, and give me confidence in the direction you lead. 

Lord, I pray that _________ (name) does not feel condemned by those around them, but that they _________ instead.

Prayers of Readiness

As I move forward into the plans you have for my day, I will resist feeling weighed down by other people’s opinions because _________.

I can look back at _________ and see that you were for me then, so I will keep trusting that you are still for me today. 

 

 

Connect with God in the ordinary, extraordinary, everyday moments of life through other Scripture meditations like this one. Check out this page for more! 

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE

Romans 8:31-34