If we truly believe God is with us always; then why not believe that as soon as we entertain a thought and form words to speak over stuff of life that concerns that God already knows and listens with a solution?

Before the army went out to battle, the Israelite law of warfare required the officers and soldiers first to dedicate themselves to the Lord (Deuteronomy 20:1–4), and this psalm speaks of such a dedication service. 

We cannot go to war against the Prince of Darkness without first proclaiming our allegiance to God who helps us!  But we must ask, as we pray, Do we really believe what God says to be really real—without seeing?

Psalm 20

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

^1-4 God answer you on the day you crash,
The name God-of-Jacob put you out of harm’s reach,
Send reinforcements from Holy Hill,
Dispatch from Zion fresh supplies,
Exclaim over your offerings,
Celebrate your sacrifices,
Give you what your heart desires,
Accomplish your plans.

⁵ When you win, we plan to raise the roof
    and lead the parade with our banners.
May all your wishes come true!

⁶ That clinches it—help’s coming,
    an answer’s on the way,
    everything’s going to work out.

^7-8 See those people polishing their chariots,
    and those others grooming their horses?
    But we’re making garlands for God our God.
The chariots will rust,
    those horses pull up lame—
    and we’ll be on our feet, standing tall.

⁹ Make the king a winner, God;
    the day we call, give us your answer.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW WILL WE RESPOND?

Who we believe will be reflected in our actions of response. Pause to ponder; Do we truly believe God has the answer to whatever we need?  What and who do we put our trust in and are devoted to—powerful leaders with strong armies, (chariots and horses) or the Mighty, all knowing, all powerful God we love and serve?

I’m reminded now of our Easter message last Sunday of Thomas, dubbed the Doubter because he had not seen or experienced Jesus like the others had yet. Jesus had appeared to His band of disciples who huddled in fear in a darkened room. His first words to them were “Peace be with you.”  Notice the words “with you” in this short profound statement by Jesus to His beloved.  It was as if Jesus was reiterating what they already knew; Peace has arrived among you for I AM the Prince of Peace.  I promise to be with you always and here I AM in person! (Read the whole chapter of John 20 for the full effect!)

As soon as Thomas returned to the room, they all told him; “We’ve seen the Lord!” But Thomas was not in room and still in mourning over the loss of Jesus. Thomas responded with chilling words to us today, but let’s not be so quick to judge him for in confusion, unrest, and mourning we all have said things that reflect our mental state of mind as we search for answers. Thomas said;

 “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails… I will not believe” (John 20:25).  Can you feel the raw emotion of loss?

The disciples could not judge Thomas for even when Jesus appeared to them; they didn’t go out to proclaim Him but stayed hidden in the upper room with the curtains drawn shut for another week!  We cannot imagine the intense fear of all the disciples thinking they might be next to be crucified by the Romans because they were identified with Christ! Thomas was not the only doubter, but he was the one most vocal of his honest doubts.

Doors locked, Jesus appeared again in the room.  He specifically walked over to Thomas and gave him the blessed assurance they all needed while hiding in their “safe place” of seclusion. These are the words Jesus spoke that we all need to hear in our own hiding places of fear of the unknown without the answers we seek;

“Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”—Jesus, John 20:26-29

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

We are the once doubters, not condemned, but saved by Jesus!  We are the “whoevers” who believe and are blessed by God without seeing or touching the Lord’s nail-scarred hands and feet or the healed wound in his side.  We believe God did what He said He would do through Jesus, His Son!  We belive that Jesus died for our sins, buried for three days then was resurrected by God from death in victory over the Prince of Darkness.  We believe we have been given the beautiful gift of eternal life all because of God’s amazing love, unending mercy, and unmerited grace!

Upon seeing and touching Jesus, Thomas then made the profound declaration of faith: “My Lord and my God!”  The real significance of this moment in time was used to show Jesus’ mercy towards honest doubt and to emphasize the reality of the physical resurrection.  Later, Thomas would be known for his loyalty to Christ while declaring a willingness to die for Jesus knowing he, too would be resurrected to life eternal with Him on that day. Thomas surrendered all his doubts as God’s Holy Spirit took up residence in his soul.

As God breathed His breath of physical life into Adam; Jesus breathed the breath of God’s Holy Spirit giving Life to all who believe and call Him Savior and Lord.

Oh Lord,

How you love us so deeply, profoundly, and forever!  Cleanse our hearts; help us remove all that is not of you. Renew our minds; and help us remove all doubts of you. Refresh our souls with your new tender mercies given each day; feed our souls with Your Word. Like a fountain flowing, continuously restore the joy and peace of you in us and us in you by your Holy Spirit living in us.  You indeed are with us always. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen