Daily Devotional for July 2, 2014

Psalm 55:12-14, 16-22
My enemies are not the ones who sneer and make fun. I could put up with that or even hide from them. But it was my closest friend, the one I trusted most. We enjoyed being together, and we went with others to your house, our God.

I ask for your help, Lord God, and you will keep me safe. Morning, noon, and night you hear my concerns and my complaints. I am attacked from all sides, but you will rescue me unharmed by the battle. You have always ruled, and you will hear me. You will defeat my enemies because they won’t turn and worship you.

My friend turned against me and broke his promise.  His words were smoother than butter, and softer than olive oil. But hatred filled his heart, and he was ready to attack with a sword.

Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won’t let us fall.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I daresay all of us have been betrayed or hurt by a close friend or family member at one time or another…maybe more than once. And for many of us, it’s a game changer.  We often become more guarded...less trusting...and sometimes more cynical after such an experience.  Someone I considered “like family” once attempted to humiliate me via social media.  She didn’t have all of the facts…and the information she had was distorted, at best.  Yet she chose to lash out anyway.  She didn’t name me specifically, but you didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out to whom she referred in her rant.  And her words hurt…deeply…because they not only represented lies and unkindness (if not downright hatred or disdain)…they belied a deeper betrayal and even more lies from the persons who supplied her with the misinformation in the first place.

I don’t dwell on this…and I have been civil to this person since the incident and tried to be kind to her, because I believe that this is what God would have me do.  I spent a lot of time talking to God about the hurt and asked Him to help me forgive all parties involved.  See, we can’t rest if we have a spirit of unforgiveness – toward anyone, for anything.

As I read this passage, I was immediately transported to the New Testament.  These were not just the words of David…they could easily be Jesus’ words about Judas.  I know that Jesus loved Judas dearly…and I know that He held no long-term ill will in His heart for the heinous betrayal that Judas committed.  But I also know that Jesus was deeply hurt by this…and I am sure He cried out to God for strength, courage, grace and mercy…and a heart of forgiveness toward His precious friend.

So what can we learn from this?

1. If you have been betrayed or hurt by a dear friend or loved one, you are not alone.  Even Jesus experienced this…and He understands completely how you must feel.
2. God stands ready to hear your cries…to share your heartaches, worries and disappointments…and to give you rest from them.
3. God will “settle the score”…we need do nothing but give our burdens to Him.  We can sit back, rest and relax in His blessings …and He will handle the rest.

There’s something else we need to think about.  Where might we have been the betrayer…the person who hurt another – whether intentionally or inadvertently?  Where have we acted on information that was half-baked - or made snap judgments - and deeply wounded someone else with our words or actions?  Do we need to come before God and confess our wrong-doing…and ask for His forgiveness…restoration…and rest?  Because He will do this!  I believe that God would have forgiven Judas…that Jesus himself would have offered Him salvation and a second chance, if Judas had not acted in haste and taken his own life.  Do we need to make amends with someone we betrayed?

God does not wish that a single one of us suffer – or perish.  He stands ready to offer rest in His promises for all who ask for it.  Whether you are seeking forgiveness for another…or for yourself…this is the day to spend some time in pursuit of God’s help.  What are you waiting for?  God is ready to rescue you and give you rest.  Are you ready to let Him?

©2014 Debbie Robus