When Betrayal Destroys
Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan, because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me (Psalm 55:1-3).
Dear Friends,
Karen Grant takes us into her own journey of experiencing betrayal and how appropriate for the Daily Treasure audience. So many of us know what it is to experience deep betrayal, broken relationships we never saw coming. And sadly, we are sometimes the perpetrators of betrayal. Jesus experienced the deepest of betrayals so He understands the pain and grief betrayal causes. This is a heavy topic because sometimes it takes a lifetime to learn how to let go of past hurts or know how to respond to those who are responsible for our wounds. It’s especially difficult when the betrayers are family, close friends or people we must continue to engage in life. Jesus certainly knows what this is like. Karen doesn’t whitewash the pain and she acknowledges how difficult it is to move beyond the pain, especially when you cannot defend yourself or choose not to share your side of the story.
You may never have experienced this kind of betrayal, but it’s likely a friend has. This devotion will give you an inside look into how difficult it is to find a way through the pain and equip you to patiently encourage your friend as she struggles to think rightly.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
When you feel isolated by the betrayal of a trusted colleague, friend, or family member, remember you are not alone. King David experienced betrayal at the hands of King Saul, his own son Absalom and trusted friends. Did the behavior of your betrayer shock you? David was shocked and in anguish. Do you want to run away? So did David. Soak in Psalm 55, which is David’s description of his anguish, his hunger for vengeance and ultimately His surrender to God’s purposes and fairness.
Cast Your Burden on the Lord
Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan, because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger, they bear a grudge against me. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues; for I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls, and iniquity and trouble are within it; ruin is in its midst; oppression and fraud do not depart from its marketplace. 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. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house, we walked in the throng. Let death steal over them; let them go down to Sheol alive; for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart. But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God. My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant. His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Sunday, 07 August 2022.
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