Psalms Streak: A Daily Devotional in the PsalmsSample

Betrayed by a Friend

It is one thing to be hurt and betrayed by a stranger or even a peer, but it is next level when you are hurt or betrayed by a friend. David writes it so well:

"My heart is in anguish within me. Fear and trembling come upon me. Horror overwhelms me. I want to fly away, wander far away, hide in the wilderness, find shelter.” (v. 4-7)

We aren't sure what David's friend did to him that caused him so much hurt, but many of us have been in the same situation. Being betrayed by a friend can totally rock your world. It can make you want to hide away, skip school, and replay the incident over and over again in your mind. An offense can be so much more hurtful when it is done to you by someone close, someone you trust. David even says in verse 12 that he could have handled it if it had been done to him by an enemy and not his companion. Have you ever been in a situation like David? Pause for a moment and talk to the Father about it. How did you react? Did you ask God to strike your enemy down like David so often does? Did you find the bravery to talk to your friend about it? Or did you just sit in the presence of God and let Him heal your hurt?

This Psalm isn't a formula for how to deal with hurt and betrayal. It is a real conversation between God and someone who needed to talk about his feelings. David does give pretty great advice for when you find yourself in this situation: Cast your burden on the Lord; and He will sustain you. No matter the level of hurt you feel or what your next step needs to be, your first step can be to give God your burden...tell Him how you feel...let Him take care of you.

GO DEEP: Are you dealing with hurt or betrayal right now? Cast your burdens on God by telling Him about it. Have you hurt or betrayed someone in your life? Seek forgiveness.

BE BOLD: Who needs to hear this? Who could you share it with?