Psalm 55 (NIV)
I am a sucker for good thrillers. I like films in which we are left to guess the identity of the murderer or spy till the very last scene. Where we are left shocked and open-mouthed at the revelation of the baddie. Where we can’t believe that the hero’s close friend is the one that sold him on. “NOOOOOO,” I usually want to shout at the screen.
David is reeling in a similar fashion, in this Psalm. While for me it was a two-hour mild indulgent – for David it is his close friend who wants to pursue him with an army and kill him. When David finds this out, he can’t believe it in a scene reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, “Et tu, Brutus?”
David’s lament is mired in far more anguish:
He refers to betrayal again in Psalm 41:9
This Passion Week, let’s also remember the bitter betrayal that Jesus received at the hands of Judas - one of His closest friends. If Jesus had a cell phone then, Judas would have been on his speed dial or most-frequently dialled numbers. Judas was THAT close to Jesus and yet he allowed greed and love for money to take firm root in his heart and using a brotherly affection betrayed Jesus to his enemies. (Matthew 26 & 27)
We can often respond to betrayal by harbouring bitterness, by trying to exact revenge, speaking ill of them and possibly even closing our hearts to any form of relationship with them.
But how did David and Jesus respond to a painful betrayal?
They both cried out to God in distress and God protected their honour and integrity.
David calls out to God to save him and He does (vs 18,19).
The man who betrays David then later kills himself. God’s justice works itself out.
Jesus allows Judas to betray him so that the scriptures could be fulfilled. Jesus took on Judas’ bitter betrayal along with everyone’s sins on earth and once and for all dealt with them on cross.
Judas, filled with remorse for what he had done, hanged himself.
Let’s today mediate on the verse that David concludes with this Psalm with and allow our response to back-stabbing, slander and betrayal be the same as David’s and Jesus’.
I am a sucker for good thrillers. I like films in which we are left to guess the identity of the murderer or spy till the very last scene. Where we are left shocked and open-mouthed at the revelation of the baddie. Where we can’t believe that the hero’s close friend is the one that sold him on. “NOOOOOO,” I usually want to shout at the screen.
David is reeling in a similar fashion, in this Psalm. While for me it was a two-hour mild indulgent – for David it is his close friend who wants to pursue him with an army and kill him. When David finds this out, he can’t believe it in a scene reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, “Et tu, Brutus?”
David’s lament is mired in far more anguish:
“It's you! We grew up together! You! My best friend! Those long hours of leisure as we walkedarm in arm, God a third party to our conversation.” (vs 13, MSG)
He refers to betrayal again in Psalm 41:9
“Even my close friend,
someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
has turned against me.”
This Passion Week, let’s also remember the bitter betrayal that Jesus received at the hands of Judas - one of His closest friends. If Jesus had a cell phone then, Judas would have been on his speed dial or most-frequently dialled numbers. Judas was THAT close to Jesus and yet he allowed greed and love for money to take firm root in his heart and using a brotherly affection betrayed Jesus to his enemies. (Matthew 26 & 27)
We can often respond to betrayal by harbouring bitterness, by trying to exact revenge, speaking ill of them and possibly even closing our hearts to any form of relationship with them.
But how did David and Jesus respond to a painful betrayal?
They both cried out to God in distress and God protected their honour and integrity.
David calls out to God to save him and He does (vs 18,19).
The man who betrays David then later kills himself. God’s justice works itself out.
Jesus allows Judas to betray him so that the scriptures could be fulfilled. Jesus took on Judas’ bitter betrayal along with everyone’s sins on earth and once and for all dealt with them on cross.
Judas, filled with remorse for what he had done, hanged himself.
Let’s today mediate on the verse that David concludes with this Psalm with and allow our response to back-stabbing, slander and betrayal be the same as David’s and Jesus’.
Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken. (vs 22)
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