Prayer: Father, help me to have proper consolation in sharing about betrayal. You are many times the lone source of help in time of trouble. Help me to look to You first. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reading: Psalm 55 key: vs. 6-8
6 Fear and trembling come upon me
and horror has overwhelmed me.
7 So I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and find rest.
8 Surely I would flee far away.
I would stay in the wilderness. Selah
Attention: Have you ever been betrayed? I have, several times. Twice by male friends who thought it was their duty to relay information given to them in confidence to a girlfriend of mine, and twice by my brother with girlfriends which he was trying to convince they would be better off dating him. The two incidents by male friends still stings because it was hurtful information. Why does someone feel compelled to do something like that which is hurtful?
Do you remember the airline commercials which asked us, “Wanna get away?” The psalmist seems to identify when he says, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.” Unfortunately, escape by moving or getting away isn’t practical. The psalmist appeals for vindication from the Almighty, “evening, morning, and noon,” he cries out, but he acknowledges that Adonai “will redeem my soul in shalom (peace) from the battle against me” (and I might add, within me). He adds, “cast your burden on Adonai and He will sustain you” (vs. 23).
I encourage you to receive this lesson from the psalmist. Remember that Jesus also was “betrayed.” He understands betrayal. Adonai is an ever-present help in time of trouble and being troubled. Forgive the betrayer and call on God to right and resolve, bring peace to the wronged and wounded.
Action: I will take my worries, concerns, and burdens to Adonai and leave them with Him.
Yield: Yielding is giving to God what we are not meant to carry.
Engaged: I am engaged with God when I give my worries, hurts, and wounds to Him.
Relationship: Relationship is holding God’s hand.
Prayer: Father, I have experienced betrayal and it is agonizing. May I never experience it again, but if I do, I will run to You first. Thank You for caring so intimately for me. Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalm 55:23
23 Cast your burden on Adonai, and He will sustain you.
He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Music Video: Cast Your Burden | Live | Gateway Worship
Remember, “Abide in Jesus, today!”