It was better to have no friend than to have one and betray him.”
–Charles A. Seltzer (The Boss of the Lazy Y)
“A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,”
–Proverbs 6:18 (two of the seven things that are an abomination to the Lord in Proverbs 6)
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I’m posting quite a bit of verses from Psalm 55 this morning. Take time to read them, ponder them and contemplate them. Remember that God’s Word is food for the soul.
9 – Destroy them, Lord, and confuse their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 – Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city.
11 – Murder and robbery are everywhere there; threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.
12 – It is not an enemy who taunts me–I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me–I could have hidden from them.
13 – Instead, it is you–my equal, my companion and close friend.
14 – What good fellowship we enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.
15 – Let death seize my enemies by surprise; let the grave swallow them alive, for evil makes its home within them.
16 – But I will call on God and the LORD will rescue me.
17 – Morning, noon, and night I plead aloud in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice.
18 – He rescues me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, even though many still oppose me.
19 – God, who is king forever, will hear me and will humble them. Interlude (Selah)
For my enemies refuse to change their ways; they do not fear God.
20 – As for this friend of mine, he betrayed me; he broke his promises.
21 – His words are as smooth as cream, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!
22 – Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
23 – But you, O God, will send the wicked down to the pit of destruction. Murderers and liars will die young.” (NLT)
No, part of this is not from today’s newspaper. It is life of David and he is showing two situations that he faces: first is the external danger of the culture around him. Cities, society, people are facing destruction. The world is in a mess and David sees it and does not know what to do about it. Lies, cheating, murder, robbery, violence, strife and terror–the real dangers lie within the city not from an outside enemy.
The second issue that David is facing is betrayal–betrayal by a close friend. This person went to “church” with him. They did things together, they went places together, now the friend has turned against him. David was angry, but he does not fall into sin with his anger; he does not take revenge. Even through the trials and the emotional wringer, David is steady. George O. Wood states this, “The Lord gives permission to express that anger to Him, but it is not acceptable for us to act on the anger. Maturity in Christ takes us along an even higher and more difficult path: forgiveness and overcoming evil with good.”
One more thought. Think of the Last Supper, the disciples in the room around the table with the Lord. They are celebrating the Passover–the atoning sacrifice. It is probably subdued giving to the circumstance, and then Jesus cast his eyes upon Judas. A friend, a man who has shared the dust of the roads with Him, and shared the nights camped in the wilderness with Him–the betrayer. Judas slipped out quietly, what did the others think? But, Jesus knew. Jesus truly felt the words of Psalm 55.
“Cast thy burden upon the Lord,
Only lean upon His Word;
Thou wilt soon have cause to bless
His unchanging faithfulness.”
–unknown