As Fragile as a Butterfly, these First P52 Ryland Papyrus and Second Century Papyrus P46 (300 clear chapters, University of Michigan) show careful, careful Love for the Word of the Lord.
Luke 1
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning,
I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
The Word of God is never limited.
God has been orderly for centuries. God teaches certainty in an uncertain world.
Certainty - Worry, Circumstance, Endurance and the Nature of God.
When the Gospels were written and the Book of Acts began - the Roman world and the governing body - with the religious body of the Jews - were in great fear. Ian Wilson records a letter found from Lystra, Judea recording the fear Jews were finished with the miracles and miracles and miracles the Body of Christ was experiencing.
Victory?
David lived 22 years and years and years of never, almost never, almost a victory, almost victory, victory for serving the Lord God. Our Father.
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1 is in the First Book of Psalms 1 - 40; considered to written by David and about his conflict with Saul.
We all struggle in a walk with Jesus Christ to put our loved ones in the category of "All Good with God" and we struggle with the culture leaning on the younger people and all the generations and upon us. And here is Psalm 1 assuring us we don't pass God's bar. God's Passing Grade would be unobtainable without Jesus Christ. Daily. Mark 7 explains all the many, many ways we can fail God every 5 minutes.
Honoring God with talk only - false talk.
Having a heart far away from worship.
Judas was said to take the holiness and warp it to his interests. He turned to his interests.
Putting a show in to a production of ministry and failing to care for aged parents.
Jesus carefully and with the Grace upon Grace of our Loving, Caring Father - relieves the tensions by saying what people say to you from their heart - their unkind words meant to pull others down - that the only thing that can truly defile us and trip us up - is feeling bad within ourselves and pushing that on to another - this defiles us. What people say - the movies - the TV- the music - that wanders in - is not what defiles us. It is the intentions of our mind, heart and soul that would harm us. We are safe from what is said. When we listen to God and worship Him. The Humility of knowing God saves us.
"evil thoughts come
sexual immorality,
theft,
murder,
adultery,
greed,
malice,
deceit,
lewdness,
envy,
slander,
arrogance
and folly.
All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
Now consider Psalm 1 as a Psalm of David
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
David was housed with the malcontents as he sought to do God's will. Ziklag - even his own men wanted to kill David. David had to Live with Faith God was going to bring his surroundings nearer, clearer and dearer to Father God. David was living what was in his soul to God
.
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Ya betcha, David was doing his best as the people who had really disliked Saul and Israel rode with David during the mercenary years. With certainty, assurance, internal conviction we know David was trusting God to make the path straight and good.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.
David was like Mary, he believed the promises of God when faith was very certainly unseen around him. When Saul's concubine's sons were crowned King of Israel - did David feel all was right with the world? This would not be what David would all smiles and grins for that crown placed there. At least 3 people were crowned King of Israel while David was crowned over a little portion. And David believed that he was a tree and God would help him.
In all that he does, he prospers.
If we see this as absolute. The Ditch David lived in with the malcontents affirms, strengthens, emboldens us to believe David meant an internal attitude instead.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
With as many failures as David had in 22 years - not 'livin' the dream' - we know David was "walking the walk, talking the talk, keeping his eyes on His God." David always and never failingly believed God to be completely compassionate to the cry of His child - David. David was assuredly, completely faithful to the belief God had His Heart and His Plan upon David. David was not driven from this belief: God is for me. David stood with God as his firm foundation.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
David believed in all times and circumstances - God alone had the ability and the pay grade to judge David. And David was in love for God for His wondrous ability to listen to David's prayers and David loved God for His Compassion.
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
1 Chronicles 21:13
Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”
Psalm 69:13 Psalm of David
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.
And who led David when he did fall into sin? Not Gad who blasted David with all of the righteousness of Gad. Gad!
Nathan came to David and expected David to have compassion. And Nathan had to come to David in times we'd rather run from a king. Nathan believed in the goodness of David. David named a child after Nathan and Luke 3 shows Mary to be a descendent of David through Nathan. Recorded in the Sadducean Council Records, housed in Scotland, saying this genealogy of Mary through her father, Heli.
David's compassion was so great to Nathan - Nathan was with David as he went to be with God. David loved the truth and he loved compassion. David believed God's Word to him. God's Personal Word and assurance.
We are a fortunate generation. We can touch objects David, King of Israel, God's anointed, placed in his city. Find History recording David.
The tour of the western wall tunnels is one of the most popular tourist sites in Jerusalem. These underground tunnels connect the western wall prayer area to the north-west side of the temple mount, passing along the side of the temple mount and under the present day houses in the Old City. Along its path are remains from the second temple period, as well as structures from later periods.
To please God, we must believe what He says within us in Jesus Christ.
The Bible tells us all will have Crowns of Righteousness, for those who Love God and Believe Him.
David placed his palace, for the view. Outside of the protection of City Walls. David believed his protection was from God.
the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
for the LORD knows the way of the righteous
Abba our Father, our Daddy.
Paul wrote he was a sinner, but at the time he did not know what sin he was in. There are a plethora of ways to make a vast God unhappy or angry. We all fall here - God gives His Word to affirm us as sinners.
Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ who covers us in His Name. His Grace upon Grace. Nothing we could ever do would purchase this astonishing gift allowing us access to You in Jesus Christ. At all times. In confidence.
Because You have placed the Holy Spirit inside of us - we are eternally safe. Invited to be Eternal in the way, truth and Life of Jesus Christ. To Live. Forever.
we are Eternal today because of Jesus.
Bless our cares lifted to you. Bless hold and cherish the ones we Love. Uphold and hold dear to You, the people You have given us.
We will see our prayers join the communion of saints. God having prayer circle the earth He calls yesterday, today and tomorrow "good". We ask for our city to recover and rejoice and be thrilled with the outpouring of Love to those in care of one another during Hurricane Harvey. An awesome, astonishing thing to see for a week the coverage of Hurricane Harvey on ABC 13. See this. Amazing.
for the LORD knows the way of the righteous
We pray this outpouring of Love over Florida. 6.3 million people moved out of the city is hard to repeat Houston's Love - but they will be returning home. Tired and worried - Jesus Christ uphold them. His own Children.
Bless our times - political bicker put down, Love lifted up.
And the Joy of the Lord is our Strength and Song.
Amen in Jesus Christ our God. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †