Zechariah 1-3

"See, I have removed your guilt from you, and I will clothe you with splendid robes" (3:4).

"If you will return to Me, I will return to you."  That is the hope-filled message that Zechariah has for God's people. They had been restored from the Babylonian captivity but had returned to some of the spiritual apathy and sin that had marked their forefathers. Zechariah is sent to call them to repentance and restoration.

Read it here.

Haggai

Haggai brings four messages from God to His people.  All four are recorded in this short two-chapter book.  The people needed a motivating kick in the pants.  They were dawdling around when there was work to be done on restoring the Temple. God used this man (and his co-laborer, Zechariah) to fuel a passion for completing the work God had called them to.

Read it here.

Zephaniah

This prophet testifies to the great and coming Day of the Lord ... the Day that God comes to set things right. That is good news for those who eagerly await His deliverance. It is terrifying news for those who are unprepared to meet their Maker.

One of the most beautiful and compelling images is painted for us in the third chapter as the Lord hushes and quiets His people and begins to sing over them with love and peace.

Read it here.

Habakkuk

Ever wonder why bad people seem to prosper and good people get the shaft? A lot of people have asked that question. Habakkuk adds his voice to the very same.

You have to read this interaction with God and the beautiful prayer of surrender at the finale.

Read it here.

Nahum

This short prophetic book is about the future calamity of Nineveh. That wicked city had been spared when they repented at the preaching of Jonah (about 150 years before the time of Nahum). But apparently their repentance did not last for long. Because now this massive city has become the foe of God and a bastion of blood, deceit, prostitution, sorcery and every kind of wickedness.

If only they had held onto the God who is "good" and is a "stronghold in the day of distress" (1:7).

Read it here.

Esther 9-10

To this day the Jewish people of the world celebrate the story of Esther at the Feast of Purim (the Hebrew word for "lots" - as in "casting lots").  You'll see why in today's reading.  This story is historical - it is not a myth. And the God who left His fingerprints on every page is still alive today!

Read it here.

Esther 7-8

When we take the path of wickedness, we fall into the pit that we dug with our own hands. This story is a vivid depiction of that! And there is a reward for the faithful.

Read it here.

Esther 5-6

We need to start seeing all of the "only God" moments that fall all around us!  This is awesome to read!

Read it here.

Esther 3-4

Is Mordecai the hero? Would YOU have pushed Esther to become a candidate for queen? Seriously?

Is Esther the hero? She certainly didn't (at least initially) want to be the hero.

There is a God behind these people and these event. There is a God behind you and me!

Read it here.

Esther 1-2

This is NOT a story about Esther. In these pages you will not discover a blemish-less heroine. She has deep and evident weakness and flaws.  Though this story bears her name, this is the story about God. This is a great book.  Without referring to God by name, you will see His fingerprint all over every page. There is intrigue, well-developed characters, and the hand of Providence.  These first two chapters set up the storyline. Enjoy!

Read it here.

Nehemiah 9-10

Confession and worship intermingle as the people reacquaint themselves with God's Words. They also carefully rehearsed the story of redemption.  This reminded the people of the ways of God and their need to stay close to Him and His Words.  What a great example for us to follow!

Read it here.

Nehemiah 7-8

The man of God read the Bible to the people and then the gifted teachers helped them understand and apply what they were hearing. This has been God's purpose and plan for His people for all these generations.  Are you hearing God's Word? Are you getting help to understand and apply it to your lives?

Read it here.

Nehemiah 5-6

Nehemiah takes every opportunity to point these people to God. He is a strong, decisive leader. But no one misses the fact that his Commanding Officer is God!  The number of reference to prayer is astounding.

Read it here.

Nehemiah 3-4

Nehemiah is a stud leader! This is a great picture of enormous effort coupled with complete, prayerful dependence on God. It is not an either/or proposition.

Read it here.

Nehemiah 1-2

If you've never read Nehemiah before, do it now. This is a story of a noble man depending on God and seeing His divine hand in every detail - living in dependence on his God!

Read it here.

Ezra 9-10

Ezra was completely cognizant that they were dependent on God during this fragile time of restoration. This magnificent and bold leader trembled before God and humbled himself in the most self-effacing way imaginable. His confession to God on behalf of his people remains a great model to us even centuries later.

Read it here.

Ezra 7-8

"The gracious hand of His God was on him" - note how many times this phrase is repeated. God gets the credit. Thus begins Ezra's first-hand account of the events he witnessed as God gave him the privilege of leading His people at such a critical time.  But make no mistake - this is God's doing.

Read it here.

Ezra 5-6

Wait on the Lord. He came through for His people. The setback was a momentary one. The people's patient dependence paid off. God was in this!

Read it here.

Ezra 3-4

Often, the path to restoration and blessing from God is marked by setbacks and difficulty. The day that God told His people that He would bring them back to the Promised Land was marked by jubilation. When they got there and began to rebuild and reestablish worship, it was cause for unprecedented celebration (end of ch. 3). But the enemy was watching and began to hinder them (ch. 4).

Don't be shocked when God's kindness and grace is marked by adversity and trial.  He is still there and the blessing is still to come!

Read it here.

Ezra 1-2

Return!  Restoration!  Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther are all records of events that occurred AFTER the deportation to Babylon that Jeremiah (and others) warned of and experienced.

Now it is time for the captives to go home!  And the first order of business is to restore the Temple and draw people back to worship the God of Abraham!

Read it here.

Lamentations 5

Unique among the collection of songs in this book, chapter 5 is not an acrostic, but is packed with artistry.  He yearns for restoration with God.

Read it here.

Lamentations 3-4

Lamentations 3:27-28 are some of my all-time favorite verses. They brought comfort and purpose to me when I was going through very difficult times as a young man. They still have that impact today.

Notice the sorrow, but also the soul of the prophet as he continues to come back to hope.

Read it here.