Betrayed!

My parent's pastor preached an excellent message I needed to hear tonight. It was out of Psalm 55. I hope that I can portray through my scratchy notes what he preached. I am sure I will not do it justice but hopefully you will gain encouragement from it!

The Betrayal Psalm

Psalm 55

Being betrayed by a close friend, family member, husband, wife, or someone close to you is one of the deepest wounds you will ever face.

David pours out his heart to God in this Psalm. The background to this Psalm can be found in 2 Samuel 15-17. David was betrayed by his equal, his advisor, someone he trusted. We expected to be betrayed by our enemies but by our own friends the ones that we thought loved us. Can we not image David saying, "Where did this come from?"

The Cry of His Heart is seen in vs. 1-3

We as humans need to cry out to someone who won't just sympathize with us but one who understands the offense of the right.

We must remember:

God is very aware of the place you are in.

There is no physical pain that can compare to this kind of emotional and spiritual pain.

David also maintains his innocence. Even though the circumstances he was in were the sentence of God operating in his life (consequences of his sin with Bathsheba) David knew he had been forgiven and was clear before God. We sometimes have to come to the point and say I know this may be the result of past sins--- Yes, this is true but I am and the sin is covered under the blood. I must realize I am not perfect but I am forgiven.

David took the frame of mind "When people talk about me... I talk to you Lord."

Personal Anguish is seen in vs. 4-8

David was not whinning he was talking out the pain to the Lord. David was so crushed that he was to the point that he didn't want to go on. Before one condemns another in this place we must remember Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane he sorrowed unto death.

He desired to just get out of the situation. "Oh if I just had someone else's life." Job was also in this place.

He fought the impulse to wander away and not come back. Find a cabin in the woods and never come out again.

But David saw the larger issue at stake. Even though he didn't want to continue on with his life he was the larger issue. Sometimes all we can see is the problem and the hurt but like David we need to see the larger issue. David saw what was happening to his nation. He saw the destruction happening to "his" city.

National Danger vs. 9-11

David saw the danger that was going on with his city wickedness was running rampant in the city of the Lord. When the wicked rule the people mourn. David saw that God's people were prey of the Devil. David began to pray that the plans of the wicked would be diminished. "Lord just confuse their plans." 2 Samuel 15:16

Always promote God's goodness and He takes care of the right.

Plea for Justice vs. 12-15

There is part of us that longs for what is right. Justice is what God is interested in.

Vs. 12 shows us the bitterest part of the wound. The bitterest part of the wound was the betrayal of his closest friend someone that he had trusted.

David may have almost said...

I looked up to you, respected you, we were friends, we worshiped before the Lord. This is the betrayal of the worst kind.

Vs. 13 David prayed that their earthly life would end soon.This was not a prayer of revenge but rather an imprecatory prayer. Those that have set their hearts to wickedness use prayer imprecatory prayers. Ahithophel deliberately choose a usurper. The longer an evil one like that stays on earth the more they corrupt others. (e.g. Hitler). Again, this is not a prayer of revenge but rather an imprecatory prayer.

Affirmation of Faith vs. 16-18

David looked at the big picture and sees the damage done from evil. David was hurting personally but was not making it personal. David said "Is there not a cause?"

Vs. 17 There was a serious beseeching of the Lord for deliverance.

Vs. 18 God gave him fellow laborers and support

Confidence in the Lord vs. 19-23

Vs. 19 Confident of God's help. (The word here"changes" means no repentance God will judge those that have no repentance)

Vs. 20 This man was cowardly and devious. The smooth words covered a heart of a betrayer.

Vs. 22 This is wise Counsel... don't carry this yourself it will crush you. It will cause anger, and bitterness. He alone can give strength and peace.

Vs. 23 Position of faith.

THERE IS A CAUSE! I want the Lord and His cause to prosper no matter what. The Lord will settle the score. Let him vindicate you! You can sit back and trust God to vindicate the cause.

Absalom shows us that the surest way to shorten your lie is to go your own way. The wicked are self destructive by their own choices. We don't need to raise swords against them! God WILL vindicate! Always stand for the right! Always seek the cause Don't let Satan distract you. Those who did David wrong were destroyed and David was vindicated.

The question is raised why would such a wise man as Ahithophel fall to such levels. Wisdom is corrupted by pride. Anything that sets us apart will destroy us if it is not held with humility.

Our answer when we are betrayed is to run to the Lord,run to Him and let him vindicate you and the cause. Let go of the hurt the wounds... give it to the Lord. His word says Cast they burden on the Lord! Stand for the cause (Christ and His Word) when you feel like giving up and running to the hills don't quit don't run. Let the Lord heal the wound. Run to him and let him heal but let him fight your battle just continue standing for the right.