Open your ears to my prayer, O God. Do not hide from my plea for mercy. Pay attention to me, and answer me.
My thoughts are restless, and I am confused because my enemy shouts at me and a wicked person persecutes me.
They bring misery crashing down on me, and they attack me out of anger.
My heart is in turmoil. The terrors of death have seized me. Fear and trembling have overcome me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
I said, “If only I had wings like a dove— I would fly away and find rest. Indeed, I would run far away. I would stay in the desert. Selah [vss 1-7]
If an enemy had insulted me, then I could bear it. If someone who hated me had attacked me, then I could hide from him.
But it is you, my equal, my best friend, one I knew so well!
We used to talk to each other in complete confidence and walk into God’s house with the festival crowds. [vss 12-14]
⌊My best friend⌋ has betrayed his friends. He has broken his solemn promise.
His speech is smoother than butter, but there is war in his heart. His words are more soothing than oil, but they are like swords ready to attack.
Turn your burdens over to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will never let the righteous person stumble.
But you, O God, will throw ⌊wicked people⌋ into the deepest pit. Bloodthirsty and deceitful people will not live out half their days.
But I will trust you. [vss 20-23]
For the choir director; on stringed instruments; a maskil by David.
(Psalms 55:1-7, 12-14,20-23 GW) [context– Psalm 55]
Betrayal, in any form, is hard to accept. But thankfully, God knows what it's like to be betrayed.
The first time it happened is when Adam and Eve chose to believe a lie rather than trust in God (Gen 3:4-6). Later, when the Father sent His Son to redeem and restore relationship with all humanity, Jesus was betrayed by one of His closest followers.
We all get disappointed by people and we disappoint others. But betrayal goes deeper. It's a matter of broken trust.
When we experience disappointment, unmet expectations, disloyalty, unfaithfulness, or betrayal, it's hard to trust again.
How can trust be restored? This can be risky and lead to even more disappointment or feelings of betrayal. But in this psalm, David reminds us how we can begin to trust others again.
The first, most important step is to reaffirm our trust in God—the only one who is always faithful, always trustworthy. This is the foundation for trusting others. Trust in God—gut-level, honest trust—provides a secure reference point for trusting others.
A second step is to be honest with God about your feelings, especially when you feel betrayed or experience genuine betrayal. We need to lay this hurt at His feet and leave it there—trust Him with it—for Him to deal with it and whoever betrays us (1 Pet 2:22-23).
Before we extend trust in any type of commitment, we need to pray. We need to ask God for His guidance, and ask Him to give us discernment and wisdom (James 1:5). ©Word-Strong_2016
Have you been or felt betrayed?
Lay this hurt at the Lord's feet and trust in Him.
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I won't cover all 150 Psalms, but do selective devotionals through the rest of Psalms.
So if I skip one that you like... let me know and I'll try to cover it!
