By Lisa Wilmore
Scriptures: (Psalm 55) For if an enemy were insulting me; I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.
My Dear Friends,
Betrayal from a friend is a wound like no other. Have you experienced a time when you put your trust and confidence in someone who betrayed you, and You discovered that it was your friend who was setting up traps for you? In fact, you thought it were your enemies, but it was your friend all the time. What a hurt and disappointment!
In our aforementioned Scriptures, David penned a supplication plea to God to give an ear to his prayer (Psalm 55:1). Scholars believe that David wrote this Psalm during the time, his son, Absalom and others close to him rebelled against him (2 Samuel 15-17). This betrayal of David’s son really hurt. In fact, David desired to get away from it all and escape the pressures and problems because of the wound he endured. He sang, “And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness” (Psalm 55:6-8).
Has betrayal caused you much anguish? Have you suffered in a way that has taken you to another level of distrust? Well, when the wound is from a friend, turn to the One Friend that will never hurt you; the One Friend that will stick closer to you than a brother or sister. His name is JESUS!
It would be great to share with you that you will never be hurt or disappointed by your close friend or even a close relative, but I cannot. David’s disappointment came, in like manner, ours may come as well.
However, put your trust in God. He is the only One who will not disappoint you.
Now, if we are going to be the friend that God has called us to be, we must emulate the characteristics of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We must love, stick to each other in times of trouble, help bring healing to our friends and understand when no one else does. What kind of friend are you? Are you willing to be the person who others can depend on? When the wound is from a friend, learn the lesson and be the opposite of what they do.
