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Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! (Psalm 55:1, NLT)
Psalm 55 is a Biblical account of deceit, treachery, villainy, and ultimate victory. Just think of a novel by David Baldacci or Harlan Coben.
In Psalm 55, King David runs for his life because one of his confidants and closest friends has betrayed him and aligned himself with a usurper who is trying to take his throne. As David writes…
It is not an enemy who taunts me—I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insulted me—I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend (vv. 12-13, NLT).
Have you had a friend betray you? You knew you were in a difficult situation but thought you had a close confidant. Then, you found out this person was in on the plot.
Did you feel like King David?
What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God (v. 14).
His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers! (v. 21)
Have you felt blindsided? I love the Bible because it has guidance for every situation. What advice does Psalm 55 give?
First: It’s okay to be honest about our feelings. Have we felt like giving up?
My heart is in anguish within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest (vv. 4-6, ESV).
Second: Pray! Ask for help!
As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, and He will hear my voice (vv. 16-17, NASB1995).
Third: Ask for peace. The victory might be slow to come, but we can find God’s peace during our battles.
He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle, which is against me, for they are many who strive with me (v. 18, NASB1995).
Psalm 55 portrays a more intense struggle than we will confront. David’s chief counselor, Ahithophel (I went to seminary and still can’t pronounce the name), had betrayed David and joined David’s son Absalom in a throne takeover attempt.
The Davidic lineage of Jesus was on the line in Psalm 55. None of our battles are this important, so in our difficulties with others, let’s remember the New Covenant principles of forgiveness, prayer, and honoring one another.
By reading Psalm 55, we receive comfort no matter how upside-down our world becomes because we know that we can…
Cast [our] cares on the Lord and he will sustain [us]; he will never let the righteous be shaken (v. 22, NIV).
And God always strives for unity through grace, so be prepared to forgive as we have been forgiven.
Amen. Peace out!