One of the more unpleasant facts of life is the truth that each of us will face betrayal. Every person will have his/her own Judas.
Psalm 54 provides David’s actions in response to the betrayal of the Ziphites in 1 Samuel 23. This occurred shortly after the betrayal of Doeg in 1 Samuel 22. This Maschil of David serves as an excellent template for anyone who desires to have a plan of action prepared and in place for this unpleasant fact of life.
David’s response to betrayal was three-fold:
- He prayed honestly to God. “Save me, O God, by Your name and vindicate me by Your strength. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen up against me, and oppressors have sought after my life; they have not set God before them” (vv. 1-3).
- He trusted explicitly in God. “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is with those who uphold my life. He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth” (vv. 4-5).
- He focused intently on God. “I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me out of all trouble; and my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies” (vv. 6-7).
One of Satan’s fiery darts is the devastating, below-the-belt blow of betrayal. It is a spiritual sucker punch. The arch-enemy of God and man has no qualms in using it as often as possible. In Psalm 54, David invites you to contemplate his action plan for betrayal.
Ponder it.
Absorb it.
Use it when the inevitable happens.
