Friends....

Psalm 55:9-15

Perhaps the greatest trial is when someone you really love--a friend, a
family member--betrays you. David wrote: "For it is not an enemy who
reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has
exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a
man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance" (vv. 12,13). It takes a
diamond to cut a diamond, and sometimes our friends can hurt us deeply.
And we can deeply hurt them. David said about his friend, "The words of
his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words
were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords" (v. 21).

Jesus could have applied these words to Judas. He could have said, "Yes,
my own familiar friend, the one who walked with me, the one who ate with
me--he is the one who betrayed me."

"We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the
throng" (v. 14). How sad it is when church members, people we fellowship
with in the house of God, turn against us and hurt us. But we must do what
David did. He simply said, "Lord, you are the only One who can take care
of this. I don't understand it. I'm not going to return evil for evil. I'm
just going to leave it with You." God met David's needs. He magnified him
and healed his wounds.

We find two lessons here. First, all of us are human. Others will hurt you
sometimes. But leave your hurt with the Lord and don't fight back. Second,
be careful not to hurt others. Be a friend who blesses, not betrays.

Betrayed trust is one of life's most difficult pills to swallow. How you
respond to those who hurt you is a true test of your faith. When someone
hurts you, do you live on the divine level and return good for evil? When
others do their worst, leave it with God. He will meet your needs and use
you to glorify Himself.