Proverbs is a book about wisdom.  God is wise, and He wants us to be wise too.  He will direct the path of those who trust and seek Him, and walk in faithful obedience.  Reading through it, you might find one verse that seemingly contradicts another.  In reality, it applies to different situations that you might encounter.  An example is Proverbs 26:4-5.  v4:  “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.”  v5:  “Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”  Don’t, then Do?  Well, the wise person knows what to do in which situation.  How do we get wise?  STAY IN HIS WORD!!  I’ve noticed His presence so much since I’ve been doing this 90 day reading.  He will speak to You!~  Try it.

In Psalms we find praise, varying emotions, lamentations, and gratitude.  There’s a dash of hope mixed in as well.  God will not abandon you.  His love endures forever!

The book of Psalms covers many different emotions and prayers over a thousand year period.  God is worthy of praise and the wise will trust Him.  Some key verses include.. Ps. 8:1  “how majestic is your name in all the earth!”  Ps. 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God.”  and one that most people know is Ps. 23:1-6  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Nehemiah follows along closely with Ezra in the restoration of the temple, community, Jerusalem, and the covenant.  It shows the many ways that God was at work to restore the people of Israel to their land.  Allegiance was made to God, and the Jews were restored.  God never forsakes, and nothing is impossible for Him. 

Esther was a Jew who heard of the plan of Haman, the chief administrator to the Persian King, which was to kill the Jews.  She approached the king and told him of the plan, hiding the fact that she herself was a Jew.  The king listened to her, and Haman was put to death.  Esther was very brave for approaching the king.  God used her to save His people.

Job is a great read when you’re feeling down and out.  Job suffered the loss of everything at the hand of satan, but he never rebuked God.  Satan took everything but his life, and Job maintained his innocence to his 3 friends who came to comfort him.  They didn’t believe that Job was innocent.  Why would God take it all away?  Just confess your sins and repent!  But Job stayed firm and steadfast, even questioning God as to why he was suffering so much.  God answered him in a roundabout way, showing him all He’d created, and the greatness of it all.  Job demonstrated his righteousness and God heaped His blessings upon him for the rest of his life. 

Ezra begins where 2 Chronicles left off, the exiles return.  They started rebuilding the temple and found opposition from the enemies of Judah.  A letter was written against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, and he ordered the rebuilding to stop.  That lasted until King Darius was petitioned to search for documentation that King Cyrus had issued a decree that the temple be rebuilt, and that documentation was found, and a decree made for construction to begin. 

Chapter 7 tells us that Ezra was well versed in the Laws of God, and a teacher.  7:10 says”for Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. ”  Ezra travels from Babylon with a large number to Jerusalem under the allowance of king Artaxerxes. 

Chapter 9 discussed the disgrace that Ezra felt when he heard of the intermarriages.  It says he tore his cloak, pulled hair from his head and beard, then fell on his knees with his hands spread out and prayed. v6 – “O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. ”  A large crowd gathered around Ezra while he prayed, and they cried and confessed their sins.  Those found guilty pledged to put away their wives, and they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering.