Betrayed

O. T. #1249  "Betrayed"
July 26, 2018
Psalm 54
But God is my helper; The LORD keeps me alive!  Psalm 54:4 NLT

LET IT GLOW

Betrayal hurts. Trust is broken. We turn away from the person and put up a wall. They aren't going to hurt me again, we think. That is when we need to go to God and pour out our heart and hurts. He loves us and knows about betrayal. David felt betrayed, also. What did he do?

Liberty Bible Commentary has some background for us concerning this chapter:

David was being persecuted by Saul. He had taken refuge with 600 men at Keliah; but, warned by Abiathar the son of Ahinelech that the men of Keliah were not to be trusted, he escaped into the wilderness of Ziph. so David writes this song of assured deliverance because of divine aid. (1 Samuel 23)

David has been betrayed and has a threat on his life, which bring him grief. With a heavy, David turns directly to God for help. He praises God for He is good, for God had previously rescued David from his troubles and enemies.

In our key verse, helper means to surround, to protect, to aid.

This reminds me of Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

When we feel surrounded by the enemy, we can turn to God, who is presently there to protect and aid us in our situation. Deliverance may seen distant, we can be as confident as David, trusting that it will surely come. God's deliverance may not be swift, so we must continue to trust Him. Just recall how He has rescued us previously.


LET IT GROW

God is always keeping me alive, as our key verse says.

"What we set our hearts on always determines what we do," Lydia Brownback proclaims in her book, Singing a New Song.

David's betrayers did not set God before themselves. Strangers were attacking him. Violent people were trying to kill him. They cared nothing for God. (verse 3)
Betrayal leads to hurt and anger, which are natural responses. So we must let go of our anger and leave vindication in the hands of God. (verse 7)
We can have peace when we are anchored in Christ Jesus. Jesus was betrayed by one of His friends, Judas Iscariot, as well as His people the Jews.

LET IT GO

Go to my Helper.
As I work through it, forgive the betrayer.
Let Him take revenge.