LHC Midday Word

Saturday, 4 July 2026

The Book of NEHEMIAH - Chapter One

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

3 They said to me, ‘Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.’

4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said:

‘Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.

7 We have acted very wickedly towards you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

8 ‘Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.”

10 ‘They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.’

I was cupbearer to the king.

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READINGS

The Book of NEHEMIAH

Chapter One

Read by Sir David Suchet

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OVERVIEW

The Book of Ezra and NEHEMIAH

- Overview -

The Bible Project

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The Book of NEHEMIAH

David Pawson

Part 1

https://youtu.be/JS-c9qS8uA8

Part 2

https://youtu.be/9q0vg9-p-8E

Discovering the Gospel in Ezra & Nehemiah – Tim Keller

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Friday, 3 July 2026

The Book of ZEPHANIAH - Chapter Three

Jerusalem
3
Woe to the city of oppressors,
    rebellious and defiled!
2
She obeys no one,
    she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the Lord,
    she does not draw near to her God.
3
Her officials within her
    are roaring lions;
her rulers are evening wolves,
    who leave nothing for the morning.
4
Her prophets are unprincipled;
    they are treacherous people.
Her priests profane the sanctuary
    and do violence to the law.
5
The Lord within her is righteous;
    he does no wrong.
Morning by morning he dispenses his justice,
    and every new day he does not fail,
    yet the unrighteous know no shame.

Jerusalem remains unrepentant

6
‘I have destroyed nations;
    their strongholds are demolished.
I have left their streets deserted,
    with no one passing through.
Their cities are laid waste;
    they are deserted and empty.
7
Of Jerusalem I thought,
    “Surely you will fear me
    and accept correction!”
Then her place of refuge would not be destroyed,
    nor all my punishments come upon her.
But they were still eager
    to act corruptly in all they did.
8
Therefore wait for me,’
    declares the Lord,
    ‘for the day I will stand up to testify.
I have decided to assemble the nations,
    to gather the kingdoms
and to pour out my wrath on them –
    all my fierce anger.
The whole world will be consumed
    by the fire of my jealous anger.
9
‘Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,
    that all of them may call on the name of the Lord
    and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10
From beyond the rivers of Cush
    my worshippers, my scattered people,
    will bring me offerings.
11
On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame
    for all the wrongs you have done to me,
because I will remove from you
    your arrogant boasters.
Never again will you be haughty
    on my holy hill.
12
But I will leave within you
    the meek and humble.
The remnant of Israel
    will trust in the name of the Lord.
13
They will do no wrong;
    they will tell no lies.
A deceitful tongue
    will not be found in their mouths.
They will eat and lie down
    and no one will make them afraid.’
14
Sing, Daughter Zion;
    shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
    Daughter Jerusalem!
15
The Lord has taken away your punishment,
    he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
    never again will you fear any harm.
16
On that day
    they will say to Jerusalem,
‘Do not fear, Zion;
    do not let your hands hang limp.
17
The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.’
18
‘I will remove from you
    all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals,
    which is a burden and reproach for you.
19
At that time I will deal
    with all who oppressed you.
I will rescue the lame;
    I will gather the exiles.
I will give them praise and honour
    in every land where they have suffered shame.
20
At that time I will gather you;
    at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honour and praise
    among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes
    before your very eyes,’
says the Lord.