Daily Devotion of Psalm 55

Daily Nugget:
“For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.” Psalm 55:12-14

All have acquaintances that make life a little more difficult. Some are what we consider our enemies. They are easier to identify and keep our distance from.

However, there is an opposition with which it is most difficult to deal. It is those that we considered our friends or those we have spent a lot of time with that break our hearts when they turn against us. It is those that are closest to us, people we thought we could rely on that break our confidences and expectations the most when they let us down.

David had such adversaries. People that guided him, those that he knew fairly well, those that shared advice, and even those that went to temple/”church” with him who turned out to be those to whom he could not trust.

Although there were many in David’s life that betrayed him, including Absalom his son, one man, in particular, meets the Psalm 55 description the best. That person is Ahithophel, who was David’s confidant and counselor (II Sam. 15:12).
“And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness” II Sam. 15:31

What a heartbreak and discouragement such relations have turned out to be. As David felt, we also can feel “pained” (Psalm 55:4) when those we relied on turned out to conspire against us and let us see that we wrongly had faith in them.

Spouses have felt pain similar to David’s when their partner, who promised “unto death doeth us part,” let them down. Friends have felt betrayed when those they trusted turned against them. Children who relied on both parents to provide them security, split up leaving the youngster without a sure future. Many have been betrayed by ones that were close to them. It is a heart-wrenching experience when trust is broken.

There is no instant relief from such hurt as betrayal causes. However, one can do what David found was the only solution to whom he could turn. That was to summon God’s help and love to intervene and change the situation. David did that in dealing with a conspiracy involving Ahithophel.
“As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.” Psalm 55:16

God did hear and honor David’s cry: “… I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness” (II Sam. 15:31b). His betraying friend’s advice to Absalom turned out to be the wrong advice (II Sam. 17:14, 23). Because his guidance shamed the adviser, Ahitophel eventually took his own life.
“And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.” II Sam. 17:23 

All desire reliable, trustworthy friends. There are many. However, it does happen in life where one will be let down and even betrayed. No situation is beyond God’s help. Do not be forlorn if you find yourself in a similar situation. There is hope. There is prayer!

Today’s Thought:
You may trust the Lord too little, but you can never trust Him too much. — Author Unknown

Words to Understand:
Maschil: a Psalm of instruction
Neginoth: a stringed instrument

Today’s Reading:
Psalm 55
1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
9 ¶ Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men hall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.