Betrayal

      By Fern Horst

"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: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. — 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.

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." (Psa. 55:12-14, 21-22; 56:8-9, 11; 57:1; 61:1-4; 62:5-8)

I have found that one of the biggest hurts many of us singles have experienced in our lives is the hurt of betrayal. Whether it was the betrayal in a close friendship, a dating relationship or marriage, or in a family relationship, it is a devastating experience to find that someone with whom "we took sweet counsel together" has turned their backs on us and hurt us beyond comprehension.

When we find that the "smoother than butter" promises and the "softer than oil" sweet-nothings whispered to us in the past were nothing more than "drawn swords", where can we turn for the solace, strength and stability we need to keep on going?

The only One who can truly comfort us and give us the strength to continue on is the One who cares enough about our pain to keep our tears in His bottle and to write them in His book. Who else cares about us like that?

No matter how much we've been hurt, we can keep on loving others because our "expectation is from him" (not another human). In the shadow of His wings, in the shelter of His Rock, in the refuge of His tower we can make a home for our hearts when they are overwhelmed. Even if we cry out to Him from the "ends of the earth", He will hear us and be our refuge. When we put our full trust in Him we do not need to fear what man (or woman) can do to us, because our heart is safe in our Strong Tower.

May each of you find refuge in our Lord this week as you pour out your hearts to Him. He is waiting to restore your trust and your confidence so that you can continue on in life, serving Him and loving His people.

© 2000 Fern Horst

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