October 11
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PSALM 55 WHEN FRIENDS BETRAY YOU
9 Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues;
for I see violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go around it on its walls,
and iniquity and trouble are within it;
11 ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud
do not depart from its marketplace.
12 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.
14 We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God’s house we walked in the throng.
15 Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive;
for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. – Psalm 55:9-15
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, I plead you to defend me from wicked schemes
Examine my heart so that I can clearly see and discern
Help me to accept that humans are all sinners
This way, I do not have to give in to offensive spirits
Do not let me live in the city of regret when people deceive me
Show me another perspective so I can live in victory
When friends betray me, let me be focused on you alone
Do not let people’s wicked ways steal my joy
Let those who taunt me bear the consequence of the mockery
Help me let go of unrealistic expectations from people
Only you alone, O lord are good and perfect
Teach me to trust others and not be let down easily
Change my mind so that I can see others as you see them.
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REFLECTION
• Why is betrayal of a friend more painful than when your trust is breached by anyone else?