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December 29 - January 3
Ezra 5 - 10
Devotional Background
What’s the big idea?
Ezra’s narrative reveals two main issues faced by the returning exiles: (1) the struggle to restore the temple (Ezra 1:1–6:22) and (2) the need for spiritual reformation (7:1–10:44). Both were necessary in order for the people to renew their fellowship with the Lord.
A broader theological purpose is also revealed: God keeps His promises. Through the prophets, God had ordained that His chosen people would return to their land after a seventy-year exile. Ezra’s account proclaims that God kept His word, and it shows that when God’s people remained faithful to Him, He would continue to bless them. Hence, the book emphasizes the temple and proper worship, similar to Chronicles (which was also written during these days). 
https://insight.org/resources/bible/the-historical-books/ezra
Weekly Schedule
Day 1 (December 29)
Ezra 5:1-17
Key Verses: 16-17
Day 2 (December 30)
Ezra 6:1-22
Key Verses:11-12
Day 3 (December 31)
Ezra 7:1-28
Key Verses: 27-28
Day 4 (January 1)
Ezra 8:1-36
Key Verses: 21-23
Day 5 (January 2)
Ezra 9:1-15
Key Verses: 2-3
Day 6 (January 3)
Ezra 10:1-44
Key Verses: 1-4
Memory Verse
Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
January 5 - 10
Nehemiah 1 - 6
Devotional Background
What’s the big idea?
Nehemiah recorded the reconstruction of the wall of Jerusalem, Judah’s capital city. Together, he and Ezra, who led the spiritual revival of the people, directed the political and religious restoration of the Jews in their homeland after the Babylonian captivity.
Nehemiah’s life provides a fine study on leadership. He overcame opposition from outsiders as well as internal turmoil. He exercised his administrative skills in his strategy to use half the people for building while the other half kept watch for the Samaritans who, under Sanballat, threatened attack (Nehemiah 4–7). As governor, Nehemiah negotiated peace among the Jews who were unhappy with Persian taxes. He exhibited a steadfast determination to complete his goals. Accomplishing those goals resulted in a people encouraged, renewed, and excited about their future. 
https://insight.org/resources/bible/the-historical-books/nehemiah
Weekly Schedule
Day 1 (January 5)
Nehemiah 1:1-11
Key Verse: 3
Day 2 (January 6)
Nehemiah 2:1-20
Key Verses: 5-6
Day 3 (January 7)
Nehemiah 3:1-32
Key Verses: 1-2
Day 4 (January 8)
Nehemiah 4:1-23
Key Verses: 4-5
Day 5 (January 9)
Nehemiah 5:1-19
Key Verses: 10-11
Day 6 (January 10)
Nehemiah 6:1-19
Key Verses: 15-16
Memory Verse
Nehemiah 4:14b
...remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
January 12 - 17
Nehemiah 7 - 12
Devotional Background
How do I apply this?
The book of Nehemiah shows us the kind of significant impact one individual can have on a nation. Nehemiah served in secular offices, using his position to bring back to the Jews order, stability, and proper focus on God.
God uses all manner of people in all manner of places doing all manner of work. Do you feel you must be “in ministry” in order to serve God? Be encouraged; He is not limited by your vocation. In fact, God has placed you where you are for a purpose. Have this attitude about your work: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).
https://insight.org/resources/bible/the-historical-books/nehemiah
Weekly Schedule
Day 1 (January 12)
Nehemiah 7:1-73
Key Verses: 66-69
Day 2 (January 13)
Nehemiah 8:1-18
Key Verses: 2-4
Day 3 (January 14)
Nehemiah 9:1-38
Key Verse: 2
Day 4 (January 15)
Nehemiah 10:1-39
Key Verses: 29-31
Day 5 (January 16)
Nehemiah 11:1-36
Key Verses: 1-2
Day 6 (January 17)
Nehemiah 12:1-47
Key Verse: 47
Memory Verse
Esther 4:14
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
January 19 - 24
Nehemiah 13 - Esther 5
Devotional Background
What’s the big idea?
While the primary purpose of the book of Esther was to relate the dramatic origins of the feast of Purim, a greater theme shines through the story. The sovereignty and faithfulness of God permeate each scene. Nothing is truly coincidental, the book of Esther says to us. God’s sovereignty is best summarized in Mordecai’s exhortation to Esther: “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
When events seemed out of control to Esther and Mordecai, when the king dictated ruin for their people, when evil was poised to triumph . . . God was at work. He worked through their dark days (Esther was taken to the harem [2:1–16]), their faithful obedience (Esther risked her life before the king [5:1–3]), and their victories (Esther revealed Haman’s plot and the Jews’ destruction of their enemies [7–9]). This message is clear: God is sovereign even when life doesn’t make sense.
God is also the great Promise Keeper. Mordecai said to Esther: “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish” (Esther 4:14). Mordecai’s words reflected his faith that God would honor His eternal covenant with Abraham and David. 
https://insight.org/resources/bible/the-historical-books/esther
Weekly Schedule
Day 1 (January 19)
Nehemiah 13:1-31
Key Verses: 10-13
Day 2 (January 20)
Esther 1:-22
Key Verses: 11-12
Day 3 (January 21)
Esther 2:1-23
Key Verses: 9-10
Day 4 (January 22)
Esther 3:1-15
Key Verse: 5
Day 5 (January 23)
Esther 4:1-17
Key Verses: 13-14
Day 6 (January 24)
Esther 5:1-14
Key Verses: 12-14
Memory Verse
Esther 2:4
And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
January 26 - 31
Devotional Background
Weekly Schedule

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