BLINDSIDED BY BETRAYAL

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. (Psalms 55:12-13)

Although not pleasant, it is not unexpected that the man of God will face hostility from the world.  The deepest hurts, however, are those wounds from our fellow believers.  That is David's lament in this psalm.  If you have watched football, then you are familiar with the term, "blindsided."  A player's vision is limited by his helmet, and sometimes he doesn't see a hit coming--that is being, "blindsided."  Many a player had been knocked out of the game when they did not see the hit coming.  If you have been in ministry very long, then you know exactly what that feels like--the bruising that comes from the blindside of betrayal.  David was a soldier.  He had stood against giants.  He had faced fierce foes and fought them off.  Yet, this attack by his "friend" had driven him to the turf, and he was aching all over.  How do you deal with this?

David cried out to God (Ps.55:1-5).  He doesn't paste on a phony smile and act as though it doesn't matter.  David complains--and his complaint is not taken to people, but to the Lord.  If you try to deny the hurt and the anger, it will fester as bitterness and destroy you.  Should you retaliate against your assailant, then the Devil has won, for you have stooped to their level.  Someone has said it well, "A bulldog can whip a skunk, but it isn't worth it!"

David did not run away (Ps.55:6-8).  He wanted to!  It is a reflex when we are hurt, to move away from the source of the pain.  Many a servant of the Lord has fled a difficult church when assaulted by members who should have supported him.  Not a small number eventually abandon ministry altogether.  David wanted to run, but did not.  If a man after God's own heart was so tempted, we will not be impervious to the possibility.  Just remember that Satan wants to overwhelm you and when he succeeds he has overcome you.  Consider these words:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (I Pet. 5:8-10)

Cast your burden on the Lord (Ps.55:9-23).  It is too heavy for you to bear.  The good news is that you do not have to--you can take it to the Lord and trust in Him.  God sees.  He knows how you feel.  Jesus has been there.  His most stalwart follower, Simon Peter, failed Him.  When He needed someone to stand with Him, His closest followers fled.  His face would be struck with brutal blows and His beard plucked out, but I submit that the kiss of betrayal by Judas hurt worse.  What did the Son of David do?  He committed Himself to His Father as David did, and as we must.  God can handle it!