And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. (vv 6-7) ...For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them (12-15).
Betrayal. Distress. Heartbreak. We all experience these at some point in our lives, and Psalm 55 disabuses us of the notion that great biblical figures were exempt from similar emotional traumas. David is so upset, he prays for death to swallow up his enemy.
You may be experiencing similar feelings as you read this entry. Perhaps you have suffered great disappointment from someone close to you, or you're surrounded by people whose dearest wish is to see your downfall; and without realising it, you find yourself praying for misfortune to strike and get them out of your way, if only for a short while.
While these feelings may be understandable, what is the Christian response to betrayal? In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ prescribes a five letter reaction that goes against the grain:
Grace.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matt 5:43-45)
The Lord Jesus experienced betrayal in its greatest form when His close friend gave him up to those who would eventually take His life. But in the face of such wickedness, Jesus did not pray that his enemies come to a bitter end. Instead, as He hung bruised and dying on the cross, He extended grace in those immortal words:
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)
Grace was God's answer to the great Let-Down in the garden of Eden; to Israel as they continually threw His loving actions back in His face; and Grace remains His continued response to you and me today, as we repeatedly falter in our walk with Him.
Betrayal is just another tool the enemy uses to separate us in our relationships with one another. And while it is not pleasant, the Lord can use the experience to extend His love and mercy through you. Our Lord forgave those who betrayed Him (remember Peter's denial and the other disciples' fleeing when He needed them most?); and restored them to Himself, resulting in the loving relationship you enjoy with Him today.
If you've been affected by the hurtful actions of a friend, lay your feelings at the Master's feet today, and allow the healing balm of His presence to soothe your pain. Then, sincerely ask Him to help you forgive those who have hurt you, and to pray for the Lord to bless them.
With the Holy Spirit's ever present help, you will find yourself able to let go and let God do what He does best: make beauty out of the ashes of your relationship.
Dear Lord, heal the hurting heart today, replacing the pain of betrayal with the joy of the Lord. Strengthen weakened relationships, and pour out abundant measures of your restoring grace.
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