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¹⁷ Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
¹⁸ They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.
¹⁹ Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress.
²⁰ He sent out His word and healed them;
He rescued them from the grave.
~ Psalm 107

Psalm 107 is the psalm that most reminds me of a sea shanty! It goes up and down like the waves.
It reflects the biblical pattern of God blessing His people, then they become complacent and self-satisfied, then He rebukes them, disciplines them; then they repent; and the pattern is repeated.
We need to give thanks to the Lord, because He is good — He sends out His word and heals us.
We need to spread that good news far and wide.

“The blood of Christ runs deep to some eyes;
the judicious believer sees multitudes,
multitudes of inestimable blessings in it.”
~ John Favel

Petition: Please join with us in praying for:

1. The World — The number of confirmed cases is 183,696,230 (up 2,695,404 — the same as last week).
The number of deaths of people with Covid-19 is 3,975,715 (up 55,835 — a drop of 5%).
Russia has reported its highest number of daily deaths — 697 on Saturday.
Indonesia is seeing almost 30,000 cases per day and several hundred deaths.
South Africa and Africa are seeing a large increase in the number of cases.
Nearly all of them are of the Delta variant.

2. Australia — There have been 30,449 cases in total (up 308, compared with 168 the week before).

There have been a small number of local cases in several states, with New South Wales having the largest. The numbers are going up and down, but this Monday there were 35.
There are 75 people in hospital (+22), with 7 in ICU (+6).
There were 922,617 tests, with 0.1% positive. There are 423 active cases (+278).

3. Vaccine and Cures — There have been 3.16 billion vaccinated (+240 million) — equal to 41 for every 100 people. Australia has 8 million vaccinated — 31 per 100 people. The effectiveness of the vaccines in minimising symptoms is seen with three of the cases in a care home in New South Wales. They were all double-vaccinated and although they have the virus, are not ill. In the UK, whilst there has been a surge in cases, this has not resulted in a large increase in hospitalisations.

4. Church — Pray for the churches in New South Wales who have been hit with new and confusing rules about sung praise — and are again in lockdown. Many staff are weary in making all the arrangements, and following up with those who are alone and struggling.

5. Personal and Family — Last week I mentioned my father and not being able to visit him. He went home to be with the Lord this weekend. Again, like many others, I am not able to go home to take his funeral (as he wanted), or to visit my mother. In all of this, may we remember that those who die in the Lord are blessed.

A Prayer of Repentance:

“Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
by oppression, calamity and sorrow.”
~ Psalm 107:39

Lord, grant us humility. May we look beyond ourselves and cry out to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Song: This is a simple, yet profound and deeply emotional and spiritual song from Sydney’s City Alight: Grace.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love
and His wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of His works with songs of joy.
~ Psalm 107:21-22

Lord, may we remember Your unfailing love and Your wonderful deeds for humanity.
May our sacrifices be the sacrifices of praise that tell of what You have done with joy. Amen.