Last Sunday, we stepped into the book of Esther and discovered that sometimes the most important part of the story is what isn't immediately obvious. The Persian Empire was marked by pride, power, and moral compromise, yet behind all the chaos, God was quietly at work.

One of the most remarkable features of Esther is that God's name is never mentioned. At first glance, He seems absent. But as we looked closer, we saw His hand guiding events, placing people exactly where they needed to be, and accomplishing His purposes through what appeared to be ordinary circumstances.

The message challenged us to look for the "elephant in the room" in our own lives. God is often working in ways we don't immediately recognize. In the middle of busy schedules, difficult seasons, and unanswered questions, He is still present, still faithful, and still writing His story.

This Sunday, our journey continues with Chapter 21: Rebuilding the Walls.
The Jews have returned home, but Jerusalem is still broken. The Temple has been rebuilt, yet the city remains vulnerable and the hearts of God's people need restoration. Through Ezra and Nehemiah, we'll see that God isn't only interested in rebuilding walls. He's interested in rebuilding lives.

As Nehemiah faces opposition, discouragement, and impossible odds, we'll discover what it looks like to pray first, persevere through obstacles, and trust God to accomplish what seems impossible. We'll also see one of the most powerful moments in Scripture as God's Word is read to the people, leading them to repentance, renewal, and joy.

• Before Sunday, read Chapter 21 (pages 291-307), or Ezra 7-10, Nehemiah 1-6, Nehemiah 8 and Malachi 1-4 in your bible.

If you're joining us for the first time, there's no need to catch up. Jump right in with Chapter 21. We'd love to have you with us as we continue discovering God's story together. ❤️