Scripture

It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend.

~Psalms 55:12-13

Quote

“Betrayal is a reminder that even the best of men are men at best.”

~John Newton

Only two books in the Bible have have fifty-five or more chapters and they are Isaiah and Psalms. I think you will find chapters 55 in both very encouraging. I do love Isaiah 55 and Psalm 55. I study Psalms each morning and the last few mornings I have been on Psalm 55. The sitting is David being driven from Jerusalem by his son Absalom. In the middle of the Psalm David mentions the betrayal of Ahithophel. He was the grand father of Bathsheba and one of David’s trusted counselors. David considered him one of his best friends. He had shared intimate details with Ahithophel. He had trusted him with secrets. Ahithophel was a very good actor and David had no clue that he was working with Absalom to take the throne and remove David permanently.  So the leaders of the rebellion are David’s son and his best friend. Wow, that hurts! It would be like Joe David and Michael conspiring against me to discredit me and destroy my reputation, which to me would be worse than murder.

Matthew Henry has some good advice for those of us who have been betrayed at one time or another. It can happen to the best of men. David was no dummy. He was a highly intelligent fellow but he could not see into the hearts of others and neither can we. Being betrayed by a trusted friend leaves us feeling stupid but it happens to all of us. We cannot see another persons heart and humans are very good at deceit. In my 76 year history, I recall three betrayals. The first happened while I was in college and the second came early in my experience as a pastor and the third by a member of the family. Trust me, I remember them all but I do not talk about them openly. Matter of fact, I doubt that anyone knows what they are. We are reluctant to discuss things that hurt us deeply or make us feel shame, guilt or stupidity.

David might have went to sleep at the wheel but he was not stupid and betrayal can happen to anyone. Basically, what David is saying in Psalm 55 is that open hostility from a known enemy is easier to handle than the betrayal of a friend. Intimacy and the deep level of trust magnify the sting. You are under the impression that they person loves you and is out for your best interest and then you find out that they secretly hate you and want you destroyed.

Extra

Much warmer today; a light jacket is all you need or if you are hot natured, a long sleeve shirt will do. Things are really speeding up now as everyone tries to take care of last minute details.

Steve Jacobs, nephew to Earl was promoted at 5:00 pm last night. Steve left this world peacefully, never knowing the surgery went bad. Steve is a second cousin to Kevin and Josh Clark. He was an educator. I think he taught math. He also lead the music at Sardis Springs for years. I am guessing twenty or more. He leaves behind a sweet family. A wife, two children and mother. The COLS will be sometime after Christmas.

Cam Ballinger was run off the road by a wreckless driver on Sunday evening. He has three compressed fractures in his back. He is in pain and can’t walk up the steps to his bed room. He is at home. June is out that way today and she is going to check on him. This has to be upsetting to him because he had a bright future in football. He already had a division one offer to play as a defensive back or wide receiver. Joe David believes he will make a great safety. So we need to pray for Cam to recover. We all need to pray for Bo who is raising at least ten children. He is our version of George Muller. He does an incredible job and he never complains.