Tag: Psalms 55-59
The wounds of betrayal!
Scripture reading for June 14th: Psalms 55-59
Friendship is a precious thing. A friend is someone you can trust and confide in. They know you for who you really are and often love you in spite of what they see. They stick with you through thick and thin. They are there for you when you need them and you can count on them to be honest with you. Friendships take time to develop and close friends are rare and precious!
King David was deeply troubled and in anguish over a betrayal. We are not told for sure who this close friend was that betrayed him, but some commentators think it might have been Ahithophel who sided with Absalom against David. (2nd Samuel 15:12) He wanted to take the wings of a dove and fly away to a secluded place to rest from the storm that he was experiencing. (Psalm 55:6) It would have been more understandable if it was an enemy who had insulted him and turned against him, but it was his close friend. It was a man with whom he had enjoyed sweet fellowship in the presence of God at the temple. (Psalm 55:13-14) He called on the Lord for help and intervention in this very troubling time.
Jesus Christ also went through betrayal. Judas betrayed his own teacher, rabbi, and friend. He enjoyed sweet fellowship with Jesus even at the last supper. Jesus reached out to this one who would betray him and sought to win him over. (John 13:19-26) In a sense, all the disciples betrayed Jesus by denying that they knew Him and running away. In this psalm we get a glimpse into the heart of our Savior and friend of how he might feel when we betray his love.
The good news today is that our Savior did not take flight with the wings of a dove! He could have called on legions of angels to rescue Him. (Matthew 26:53) Instead, He bore our betrayals, sin, and rebellion and loved us so much as to die in our place! Take time today to ask for His mercy and forgiveness of your betrayals. Invite Him to be you special friend who will stick closer than a brother! Enjoy sweet fellowship with one who will never betray you!
The wings of a dove!
Scripture reading for June 14th: Psalms 55-59
A friend is someone you can trust and confide in. They know you for who you really are and often love you in spite of what they see. They stick with you through thick and thin. They are there for you when you need them and you can count on them to be honest with you. Friendships take time to develop and close friends are rare and precious!
One of the most painful experiences is to have a close friend betray you. He was deeply troubled and in anguish over a betrayal. He wanted to take the wings of a dove and fly away to a secluded place to rest. (Psalm 55:6) It would have been more understandable if it was an enemy who had insulted him and turned against him, but it was his close friend. It was a man with whom he had enjoyed sweet fellowship as they worshiped together. (Psalm 55:13-14) He called on the Lord for help during this troubling time.
This psalm is interesting in light of Psalm 32 and 51 which describe David’s trial of faith where he had betrayed his friend Uriah the Hittite! When this psalm was written and about whom we are not certain. It may have been concerning Ahiphohel, his close adviser who sided with Absalom in his rebellion. (2nd Samuel 15:12) It is interesting that David reaped what he himself sowed.
Jesus Christ also went through betrayal. Judas betrayed his own teacher, rabbi, and friend. He enjoyed sweet fellowship with Jesus even at the last supper. Jesus reached out to this one who would betray him and sought to win him over. (John 13:19-26) In a sense, all the disciples betrayed Jesus by denying that they knew Him and running away. We can begin to understand how he might feel when we betray his love. It is amazing how we can enjoy sweet fellowship with the Lord, and then do things that betray Him!
The good news today is that our Savior did not take flight with the wings of a dove! Instead, He bore our betrayals, sin, and rebellion and loved us so much that He died in our place! Take time today to ask for His forgiveness of your betrayals. Invite Him to be you special friend who will stick closer than a brother! Enjoy sweet fellowship with one who will never betray you!
My Soul Takes Refuge in God!
Scripture reading for June 15th: Psalms 55-59
Psalm 57 has a note in the title stating that David wrote the psalm when he was hiding in the cave near En Gedi from Saul’s pursuit. David was a young man who was chosen to minister to Saul with the harp. Saul became jealous of David after he slew the Philistine giant, Goliath. Saul’s jealousy provoked him to throw spears at David and seek to kill him. David fled from Saul, but Saul would pursue him like hunting an animal. David and his men were hiding in a cave when Saul came in to relieve himself. David cut off a corner of his robe, but would not kill him. (1st Samuel 24:4-7)
“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.” Psalm 57:1-2. David goes to God for help and safety. He hides in the cave and waits on God. God brings Saul right into the cave and David has opportunity to kill him and is urged by his men to do so. But David leaves revenge to God. He trusts God to fulfill His purpose for him. David has already been anointed as the next king of Israel, but does not reach out his hand to take it.
“I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts–men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.” (Psalm 57:4) David feels like he is a victim waiting to be eaten by those much stronger than him. The words that have been said have hurt deeply and are eating at his soul.
“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. Psalm 57:7 Early in the morning David chose to worship God with harp and lyre in songs of faith. His worship would sustain him and he spoke strength to his own heart! He promised God to proclaim His goodness and love to the nations. He thanked God for His faithfulness in worship! “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth!” (Psalm 57:5,11)
The wings of a dove!
Scripture reading for June 15th: Psalms 55-59
Friendship is a precious thing. A friend is someone you can trust and confide in. They know you for who you really are and often love you in spite of what they see. They stick with you through thick and thin. They are there for you when you need them and you can count on them to be honest with you. Friendships take time to develop and close friends are rare and precious!
One of the most painful experiences is to have a close friend betray you and turn against you. This causes deep soul searching and deep hurts. David had such an experience that he shares with us today in Psalm 55. He was deeply troubled and in anguish over a betrayal. He wanted to take the wings of a dove and fly away to a secluded place to rest from the storm that he was experiencing. (Psalm 55:6) It would have been more understandable if it was an enemy who had insulted him and turned against him, but it was his close friend. It was a man with whom he had enjoyed sweet fellowship in the presence of God at the temple. (Psalm 55:13-14) He called on the Lord for help and intervention in this very troubling time.
This psalm is interesting in light of Psalm 32 and 51 which describe David’s trial of faith where he ended up betraying his friend Uriah the Hittite! When this psalm was written and about whom we are not certain. It may have been concerning Ahiphohel, his close adviser who sided with Absolom in his rebellion. (2nd Samuel 15:12) It is interesting that David probably reaped what he himself sowed. Betrayal is not enjoyable and brings deep hurt and anguish of soul.
Jesus Christ also went through betrayal. Judas betrayed his own teacher, rabbi, and friend. He enjoyed sweet fellowship with Jesus even at the last supper. Jesus reached out to this one who would betray him and sought to win him over even at the last. (John 13:19-26) In a sense, all the disciples betrayed Jesus by denying that they knew Him and running away. We can get a glimpse into the heart of our Savior and friend of how he might feel when we betray his love. It is amazing how we can enjoy sweet fellowship with the Lord, and then do things that betray Him and cause him anguish!
The good news today is that our Savior did not take flight with the wings of a dove! He could have called on legions of angels to rescue Him. (Matthew 26:53) Instead, He bore our betrayals, sin, and rebellion and loved us so much as to die in our place! Take time today to ask for His mercy and forgiveness of your betrayals. Invite Him to be you special friend who will stick closer than a brother! Enjoy sweet fellowship with one who will never betray you!