Psalm 41:9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
There are many stories in the Bible on betrayal. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, and then Potiphar's wife lied about him. He was betrayed by the King's cup bearer who reneged on his promise to help him, until after two solid years. Samson was betrayed by Delilah, a woman he loved. This cost him his eyes and his life in the end.
Jesus was betrayed by Judas, and then by Peter who denied him three times. Life can throw at us difficult situations where people we deem as friends will betray us. God loved the nation Israel dearly, and yet was betrayed many times as Israel committed spiritual adultery through idolatry.
Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. Man cannot be trusted, our carnal hearts are deceptive and highly wicked. We have to trust God alone, and learn to trust men through God. Our eyes must always be on God while we deal with men. God is our only sure friend, all others can fail us.
Have you been betrayed? Take a cue from Joseph who forgave his brothers, for he knew that God would always be faithful, even when men fail you. Joseph had lived through bitter betrayal and suffering, and yet God's faithfulness had elevated him to the place of a prime minister even in a foreign land. In the end, all those that betrayed him had to bow down to him. Jesus forgave Peter and made him a leader of His Church.
There is great harm in being bitter as bitterness can destroy you and others. This is exactly what happened to Absalom when he allowed bitter feelings to take the better of him, destroying him in the end. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31,32).
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