Jonah is a prophet sent by God to Nineveh, but Jonah runs the other way. In an act of grace, God sends a great fish to save him and redirects His life. God’s grace is seen in unexpected ways and He calls us to share His grace every day with every life.

Daniel lived his entire life in a land that he did not belong to. Taken captive at a young age, Daniel and his friends fearlessly stand for God in the face of a wicked culture. As Daniel resolved to live for the Lord, so must we. We live out our heavenly citizenship in a foreign land. 

Due to sin and captivity, the hope and spirit of God’s people had dried up. They had no hope, they felt disconnected from God, and their lives were lived in death. But God has a plan to give new life to His people through the power of His Spirit. Only God can make dry bones come to life again.

The book of Esther tells the story of a young woman placed in an unexpected position to be used in unexpected ways to bring about God’s sovereign plan for His people. God has us here in this moment to serve for the good of others and for the glory of God alone.

God always keeps His word and has promised to build His house once again. Through the obedience of Ezra, the temple is rebuilt, and through Nehemiah, the walls of Jerusalem are restored. As God’s people, we live our lives for His worship with Scripture as our authority and spiritual renewal our focus, even as we still await the true and greater rebuilding that only Christ can bring.