Psalm 10 (summary): Why, O Lord?

Psalm 10 is a lament which asks why God remains at a distance in times of trouble whilst the wicked arrogantly prosper? The wicked, says the psalmist, are greedy, proud, haughty, foul mouthed, murderers, exploit the vulnerable and they think they evade God's vigilance. The psalmist then cries for God's intervention breaking the arm of the wicked and meeting the need of the helpless. The psalm ends exalting the Lord as King who hears the cry of the afflicted bringing justice to the oppressed. 

Pastor

Yesterday we had an excellent meeting with the pastor of our Imaculada church, Pastor João George, and his wife Jacilene, discussing issues pertinent to the Imaculada church. It was very good to see the pastor in good health. 

It was great to have been able to kit out Missionary Guilherme Santos with a motorbike to take him round his parish in the Diamante region where he now lives and works for God alongside the regional pastor Nezinho Abílio.

Yesterday it rained another 15 mm at Green Pastures meaning we have now had rain 6 days on the run!   

Sunday service

Last night I led the main Sunday service and Pastor Rafael preached on unbelief from Numbers 14. Sacha, Marina, Érika and Rogério led the praise and worship. It was the first time Rogério had sung and it was excellent.

Yesterday it rained 14 mm at Green Pastures. PTL!

I am glad to tell you that Mayane's grandmother, who was bitten by a rattlesnake, has been released from hospital. Her eyesight is still affected though it is a lot better than it was.

Psalm 9 (summary): I will praise you o Lord!

Psalm 9 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music to be sung to the tune of 'The Death of the Son'. It starts with full-blooded praise to God for victory over his enemies, for judging righteously the wicked and for rebuking the nations. David says that God's reign is permanent and eternal. God is a refuge for the oppressed who never forsakes those who seek him. He says sing praises to the Lord enthroned in Zion who does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. He says his enemies persecute him almost to death so he cries to God for mercy. David cries to God also for him to judge the fallen nations and the wicked who are ensnared by the work of their own hands. "Strike them with terror, O Lord; let the nations know that they are but men"!

Psalm 8 (summary): Oh Lord, how majestic is your name!

Psalm 8 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music according to gittith, which is probably a musical term. It is a jubilant song of praise to the Lord which starts and ends saying, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth"! David says that God's glory is not limited to creation, yet he has given man an important position of leadership within the created order. He observes with awe how God cares for man and says that God has crowned man with glory and honour.

Psalm 7 (summary): Lord, I take refuge in you

Psalm 7 is a lament attributed to David which he sang to the Lord concerning a Benjamite called Cush. The psalms style is a shiggaron which is probably a musical term.

David starts by saying that he is taking refuge in God from those who want to tear him apart like a lion. He says that if he has done wrong then he is happy to be punished, but he trusts the just Lord to rise up against the rage of his enemies. David goes on to say that the wicked will end up in the very pit that they dug for others and that the trouble they have caused will recoil on their own heads. He ends the psalm thanking God for his righteousness and praising his most high name.

Back from "the dead"

A 29-year-old woman in the interior of São Paulo was knocked down in a road accident and was declared dead by an ambulance doctor. However later signs of life were observed and she was taken to hospital. She has now recovered and has been sent home. The doctor has been suspended and is being investigated.

I have just realized that QPR drew 0 x 0 once again, away to Charlton. This was on Friday.

Last night's service at Green Pastures was cancelled owing to rain. What a glorious problem to have! ⛈☂ It was a case of 'rain stopped pray'! I was all ready to preach on Jesus being the bread of life from John 6, but this will now be preached after the carnival camp. With the rain the temperature has dropped to a high of 30 degrees and a low of 23 degrees.

The total rainfall last night at Green Pastures was 13 mm which is just over half an inch.