Day 280 - Esther 2:19 - 3 & Psalm 94

 Julie

So Mordecai discovers a plot to kill the king and lets Esther know so that she can relay the information. After killing those that were plotting against him, the king promotes Haman to the position overseeing the gate, and all bow down to him...apparently this was part of Persian etiquette. However, Mordecai refuses to bow and basically outs himself as a Jew, which is what he told Esther not to do. This sets Haman on a mission to destroy all of the Jews in the kingdom. 

A song or a prayer letting people know that God is there for those that are righteous and have trust and faith in him. He will protect his followers from those that would do them harm, that he would be the rock that they could lean on, and that he is listening to the prayers of those that are speaking to him.

 

Michelle

I don't understand why they were keeping this secret to begin with.  It's also interesting that Haman attempts to pay the king so that he can do as he pleases, yet the king allows it without payment.  I am not sure why this stands out to me.  

The parts that stood out to me are vs. 18-19.  "When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."  I find that this makes it sound like a comforting psalm.  A reminder that if you call out to God, he will console you when needed.

Day 279 - Esther 1 - 2:18 & Psalm 93

 Julie

King Ahasuerus removes Queen Vashti from her position as queen for refusing a command of the king. Their reasoning behind this was that if he did not punish her then apparently there would have been an uprising of women all over the kingdom of wives not doing as their husbands command. He chooses as Esther as queen to replace Ashti. 

Praise for the Lord reigning over all things.

 

Michelle

The preface to this book sounds intriguing.  It says that as we read the pages of Esther, we will find only silence from God.  That no where is God mentioned in this book.  But that God was not absent.  God has a purpose for Esther and as her story unfold, we are to watch for God's providence as we will not see his hand, but can see his fingerprints all over.  I think it's intriguing because often times we feel that God is not present or listening to us.  But as this states, God is ever present, even when we think otherwise, and that his guidance is there no matter what.  

In this reading, Esther is made queen after Vashti refuses to do as the king commands.  The king's advisors say her refusal will cause an uprising of all women, which is why he searches for a new queen.  Esther finds favor and becomes queen to Xerxes.  

The psalm seems to be speaking of how mighty God is. 

 

Day 278 - Psalm 92

 Julie

This is a psalm of thankfulness to the Lord for all he does. It's a reminder that we should be spending time in thanks for the prayers that are answered and for the things he does. We should just be always asking, but should also thank. It says that this is a Song for the Sabbath which makes me think that maybe that is how we should be spending that day.

 

Michelle

I have been thinking alot about the Sabbath and how we spend that day.  It's interesting that is what came up for you on this one.  I have been questioning how we spend our time on that day, work vs no work, what constitutes work vs restful activities.  Praise time and being thankful and how we should be showing that on this day.  Lots of questions.  

This psalm had some lines that stood out maybe because of things that have happened in my life recently.  I am trying to see from things where God has had his hand in it, but then I think doesn't he have a hand in everything, or because we have the gift of choice maybe some things or outcomes are shared with God.  His hand and our choices.  I guess as long as we are seeking guidance from God then our choices will align with the direction he leads. 

Day 277 - Psalm 91

 Julie

Wow, just Wow! God is my fortress! He is the refuge that will protect me from the enemy that surrounds me. I really needed to hear these words today. I may carry this one with me the next few weeks as I navigate the end of a part of my life and look towards the beginning of what is coming. 

 

Michelle

This is a good one to keep at heart, especially when you are going thru trials.  It seems a reminder that God is our refuge and that we should trust him in everything.  The part that says you will not fear stands out.  I feel like I am walking thru a fog right now in my work life.  Like I have given it to God and I don't see where it is leading me.  I am not sure if this is good or bad, but I am at peace with whatever comes I think.  That is not to say I am not worrying, because I think I still am, however, I understand God will guide my steps and if I continue moving thru it and taking actions for alternative possibilities then I will get where he wants me to be.   

Day 276 - Nehemiah 13 & Psalm 90

 Michelle

This seems to be a prayer by Nehemiah asking God to remember all that he did in order to bring the people back to proper worship and commitment to God's commands.  He does speak of when he went back to king Artexerxes and while he was away the people turned back to evil ways.  Not all but it sounds like there were many.  Again this has been the trend throughout the bible, if the people do not have a leader keeping them on track then they stray and allow themselves to be influenced by others.  It also sounds like what I understood previously about converting others has been changed as at the beginning it says that they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent.  Nehemiah says at the end that he got them back on track upon his return from the king.  

This is the end of Nehemiah.  This book sounded like we were hearing directly from him most of the time and it contained alot of prayers.  It seems a reminder that we should be in constant prayer to God. 

The psalm says it's a prayer of Moses.  There is a part that says "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom".  I am not sure why this is so prominent to me today.  It goes on to ask for God to have compassion and give satisfaction with his unfailing love for us, and asking for God to show us favor thru the work of our hands.  These are the parts that stand out but I am not getting a good interpretation of it today.  I have read over these a couple of times and they continue to stand out but I am stuck with just that.  I need to ask for an understanding.

Julie

Your synopsis of today seems accurate. I would add that one of the things that the explanation of the this book said was that Nehemiah was one of the most important people in the Bible. Based on all he did I can see why. He shows us how prayer works through his actions and helps everyone find their way back to God and understand the commandments that have been given.

So let's see if I can help with what stood out to you with the explanations in my Bible. 

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain heart of wisdom." They suggest that we should be making the most of each day since in reality they are few. Having a heart of wisdom would enable those that are faithful to live life by right priorities. We should be able to rejoice and be glad all of our days because of God's steadfast love for us. The final is asking for blessing on the work that we do in pursuit of our calling. 

I am glad you actually picked those out, especially the first one. That really speaks to you when you see it in a context that makes sense.

Day 275 - Nehemiah 11-12 & Psalm 89

 Julie

I didn't see much in today. It listed who all of the leaders were and where they were leading and their descendants and followers. It listed who all of the priests were and he talked in some detail about dedicating the wall.

This one praises God for his steadfast love and faithfulness and how he is always there. It also has God speaking back and saying that his steadfast love will endure forever and that the line of David will be taken care of. However, he does say that if his descendants fall they will be punished, but that he will not forget his covenant with them. The last part seems like a prayer asking for God's help because they are enduring some hard times and feel forgotten.

 

Michelle

I didn't really understand much today aside from it being a listing of who is living in Jerusalem, chosen from the various assigned duties and families and the rest were to remain in their towns.  I don't understand why some had to live away from their families.  I am sure there was a reason but I don't see it. The rest was about the wall dedication and the choirs that lead these processions around the wall.  At the end it spoke of those in charge of the storerooms and who provided for the musicians and gatekeepers. 

The psalm is referencing the covenant with David.  It does seem to be a conversation with God and we are hearing his response.  But in the end there is still praise to God. 

Day 274 - Nehemiah 10 & Psalm 88

 Julie

He lists all of the people that sealed the covenant and then goes on to explain what was in the covenant. They are returning to the ways of Moses and Abraham and following all of the customs, rules and commandments set forth by God. The last line..."We will not neglect the house of our God."

This lament is talking about all that they are suffering or struggling with and reminding all that God's steadfast love and faithfulness will deliver them from this if they stay righteous. It also hints at the fact that it will happen in God's time and not theirs since they seem to be asking when.

 

Michelle

That last line stands out.  The other thing that stood out to me was in 28 when it says the rest of the people and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God...all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the law of God...and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.  This makes it sound as though the people not of God's original group are committing themselves to God as those chosen by God.  Not sure if that is correct but that is what it sounds like to me.  As if it's the first  conversion of another group of people.  

This is a prayer asking God to hear it and it sounds like at the end he feels alone in his troubles.