Blessed are They That Have Not Seen, and Yet Have Believed

2 Samuel 18:1–19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15

Deal Gently with the Young Man
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom. – 2 Samuel 18:5

The Victory was Turned to Mourning
And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! – 2 Samuel 18:33-19:4

Joab Confronts and Warns the King
And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; in that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent. And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom. And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? – 2 Samuel 19:5-10

In the Light of the King’s Countenance is Life
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. – Proverbs 16:15

We saw this verse played out today in the reading of 2 Samuel. David’s son, Absalom, wants to overthrow his father, King David. There is a battle, and King David and his men win the war, but his son, Absalom dies. The people have victory but when they see that their King isn’t celebrating the victory at all. He is mourning his son. The feeling of victory leave and the people feel only shame.

Blessed are They That Have Not Seen, and Yet Have Believed
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. – John 20:29-31

This passage is full of encouragement to anyone struggling to get into the Word. Sometimes we are like Thomas, and we don’t believe because we don’t see things happen according to our timetable. This verse says that if you believe when you don’t yet see in fullness, you are blessed! Then it continues and says the Bible is written that you would believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that when you believe you will have LIFE through Him. This Word is written that we would have LIFE.

And isn’t it appropriate that today we would finish the reading of Psalm 119? If you haven’t noticed, I posted all of Psalm 119 over these last ten days. This Psalm is all about the Word of God, and it encourages me so much to love His Word, to dig deeper into His Word, to seek Him through His Word, and to share of the Word what I feel is shared with me. Truly this Word is LIFE.

Thy Righteous Judgments Endureth Forever
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. – Psalm 119:153-160

My Heart Standeth in Awe of Thy Word
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee. – Psalm 119:161-168

My Tongue Shall Speak of Thy Word
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. – Psalm 119:169-176

I challenge you – If you want a blessing today or if you are struggling to read the Word or with the concept that it is LIFE that you join me and take some time to read the passage above from John and then to open your Bible and read aloud all of Psalm 119 in its entirety. It is a long chapter, but it only takes about 15 minutes. Read it aloud – it makes a difference!!!.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for sending the Word, Your Word that is LIFE. Help me to study Your Word, honor Your Word, celebrate Your Word, and love Your Word with my whole heart. Order my steps in Your Word today that all I do would be pleasing to You and that You could use it to draw others to Yourself. Raise my faith today, Lord. Please help me to believe Your Words and Your promises not just because I have seen but because I trust You and know You and Your heart. Please help me to know Your heart more and more. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen!!!