Day 263 | Nehemiah 8:13–10:39

After completing the wall, God’s people turn their attention to rebuilding spiritually. They rediscover the Festival of Shelters, obey God’s Word, and are filled with joy. Soon after, they gather again for a day of confession and worship, standing for hours to hear Scripture and then praying through their entire history with the Lord. Remembering God’s mercy and faithfulness, they renew their covenant to follow Him. These chapters reveal that true joy and strength come from obedience, repentance, and walking in covenant with God.

Hosts: Noah Sidhom, Michael Pritchard

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Day 262 | Nehemiah 7:4–8:12

After years in exile, God’s people return to Jerusalem and gather with one purpose: to hear the Word of the Lord. Ezra opens the Book of the Law, and the people rise in reverence, listening attentively for hours as God’s Word is read and explained. Their hearts are pierced, and they weep in repentance—but Nehemiah and Ezra remind them that this is a holy day, a day to rejoice. The people are called to celebrate, for the joy of the Lord is their strength.

Hosts: Tanya Franks, Ben Taylor

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Day 261 | Nehemiah 3:1–7:3

When Nehemiah hears of Jerusalem’s broken walls, he mourns, prays, and seeks God’s direction. Sent by the king, he organizes the people to rebuild. Though mocked, threatened, and opposed at every turn, Nehemiah keeps pointing the workers back to the Lord. With prayer, planning, and perseverance, the wall is rebuilt in only 52 days. This powerful account shows how God equips His people to lead with courage, overcome opposition, and finish the work He calls them to.

Hosts: Ben Taylor, Tanya Franks

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Day 260 | Ezra 9:1–10:44; Nehemiah 1:1–2:20

Ezra returns to Jerusalem and discovers that many of God’s people have intermarried with the surrounding nations, leading their hearts away from the Lord. Grieved and horrified, he falls before God in prayer, confessing the sin of the nation and pleading for mercy. In response, the people repent, acknowledging their disobedience and turning back to God. This chapter reveals both the seriousness of sin and the hope of God’s restoring grace for a repentant people.

Hosts: Derek Ewalt, Noah Sidhom

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Day 259 | Ezra 4:7-23; Ezra 7:1–8:36

Ezra leads the second wave of exiles back to Jerusalem, not to rebuild the temple but to restore worship. Scripture describes him as a man who devoted himself to study, obey, and teach God’s Word, and because of this the gracious hand of the Lord was on him. Even a pagan king gave Ezra everything he needed to strengthen worship in the land. Ezra’s example reminds us that ordinary people can have extraordinary influence when they faithfully live out God’s Word.

Hosts: Michael Pritchard, Tanya Franks

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Day 258 | Esther 5:1–10:3

As Esther and the Jews fast and pray for deliverance, God is already working behind the scenes. On the very night Haman plots Mordecai’s death, King Xerxes remembers Mordecai’s past loyalty and orders him to be honored instead. What seemed impossible is turned upside down, showing the unseen providence of God at work. Just as in Esther’s day, the Lord still hears our prayers and moves in ways we could never arrange ourselves.

Hosts: Michael Pritchard, Noah Sidhom

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Day 257 | Ezra 6:14b-22; Ezra 4:6; Esther 1:1–4:17

With the temple finally completed and dedicated in Jerusalem, God’s faithfulness to His promises is on full display. Yet even as some rejoice, many Jews remain in exile under Persian rule. In the book of Esther, God’s name is never mentioned, but His providence is evident throughout. Esther is placed in the palace at just the right moment, called to risk her life to intercede for her people. Though the enemy seeks to destroy, God is sovereign, and He raises up deliverance in His perfect time.

Hosts: Tanya Franks, Ben Taylor

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Day 256 | Zechariah 9:1–14:21

Zechariah points far beyond the return from exile, prophesying the coming King who would ride humbly into Jerusalem on a donkey—and later return in glory to reign over all nations. He foretells a shepherd rejected by His people, yet promises a fountain opened to cleanse sin and impurity. In the end, the Lord Himself will stand on the Mount of Olives, bringing peace, restoration, and eternal hope. These visions remind us that while judgment is real, God’s heart is always to restore, and Jesus is coming soon.

Hosts: Ben Taylor, Tanya Franks

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Day 255 | Zechariah 6:1-15; Ezra 5:3–6:14a; Zechariah 7:1–8:23

As God’s people rebuild the temple, opposition arises from local officials who question their authority and seek to halt the work. But the Lord turns the situation around when King Darius commands them not only to stop interfering but also to fund the project from royal taxes. At the same time, through Zechariah, God assures His people that what looks impossible will one day be a city full of peace, where the young play and the old walk in safety. The Lord reminds His people—and us—“Be strong and finish the task.”

Hosts: Ben Taylor, Michael Pritchard

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Day 254 | Haggai 2:1-9; Zechariah 1:1-6; Haggai 2:10-19; Ezra 5:2; Haggai 2:20-23; Zechariah 1:7–5:11

After seventy years in exile, God’s people returned to a fragile and fearful land. Through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the Lord reminded them not to be afraid but to take courage and rebuild the temple, promising that its future glory would surpass the former. At the same time, Zechariah saw Joshua the high priest accused by Satan, only to be clothed in new garments by the Lord—a powerful picture of God’s forgiveness and restoration. In every moment of fear and discouragement, God is faithful to strengthen His people and cover them with His righteousness.

Hosts: Tanya Franks, Noah Sidhom

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