Betrayed!
Opening Prayer
God, help me to always turn to You, to seek You and rest in You regardless of how I am treated.
Read Psalm 55
[1] For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; [2] hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught [3] because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger. [4] My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. [5] Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. [6] I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. [7] I would flee far away and stay in the desert; [8] I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.” [9] Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city. [10] Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it. [11] Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets. [12] If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. [13] But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, [14] with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers. [15] Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them. [16] As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me. [17] Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. [18] He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. [19] God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change- he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God. [20] My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. [21] His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. [22] Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. [23] But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Have you ever been badly let down or betrayed by a friend?There is raw emotion expressed in this psalm. David is distraught and full of anguish. He is both fearful and baffled. His wounds are all the deeper because the one who is attacking him was once his friend and companion (12–14,20,21).David is in such distress that he longs to escape (6–8). Have you ever known that longing to just fly away from all that is causing you fear and hurt? What do you usually do with those feelings?In his distress David turns straight to God. The urgency with which he starts this prayer speaks of where his heart and trust lie – in God himself. David bares his soul to God and does not hold anything back. Are you practiced in doing that? David longs for God to intervene, to thwart the schemes of those who are plotting against him (9). He directs and channels his anger into asking God to deal with the people who are causing him such distress. That is a “safe” way to deal with our anger.Verse 22 holds the key to the best place of escape. This is David’s version of Paul’s praise at the end of Ephesians 3. It is a place of utter trust in God.
Apply
Take some time now to really “cast your cares on the Lord.” Trust that he will sustain you.
Closing prayer
My safe hiding place, thank You that I can always come to You and find solace in time of need.
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