Ezra and Nehemiah

Ezra and Nehemiah were good books to read. Ezra was a priest who returned after the exile, whereas Nehemiah was a governor-type figure. Nehemiah was instrumental in rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem; Ezra focused on reading the book of Law to the people. Both were extremely devoted to God and humbled themselves before Him and wanted to do what was right. They both urged their followers to get straight with God. Both books have lots of prayers to God.

My favorite story in the two books is from Nehemiah chapter 6. The mean people who are trying to thwart Nehemiah and company from rebuilding the wall asked Nehemiah to come see them. Nehemiah knew it wasn't a good idea, and he was bold enough to say, "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down." That's what I call bold and full of conviction! And, a bit later, when the wall was completed, Nehemiah noticed that these same cohorts had lost their self-confidence because they realized that the wall had been done with the help of God. With God on our side, we can be bold and confident and full of conviction!