(A special psalm by David for the music leader. Use with stringed instruments.)
Betrayed by a Friend
Listen, God, to my prayer!Don’t reject my request.2 Please listen and help me.My thoughts are troubled,and I keep groaning3 because my enemies attack with loud shouts.They treat me terribly and hold angry grudges.4 My heart is racing fast,and I am afraid of dying.5 I am trembling with fear,completely terrified. 6 I wish I had wings Like a dove,so I could fly far away and be at peace.7 I would go and live in some distant desert.8 I would quickly find shelter from howling winds and raging storms. 9 Confuse my enemies, Lord!Upset their plans.Cruelty and violence-are all I see in the city,10 and they are like guards on patrol day and night.The city is full of trouble,evil,11 and corruption.Troublemakers and liars freely roam the streets. 12 My enemies are not the ones who sneer and make fun.I could put up with that or even hide from them.13 But it was my closest friend,the one I trusted most.14 We enjoyed being together,when we went with others to your house, our God. 15 All who hate me are controlledby the power of evil.Sentence them to death and send them down alive to the world of the dead. 16 I ask for your help, LORD God,and you will keep me safe.17 Morning, noon, and night you hear my concerns and my complaints.18 I am attacked from all sides,but you will rescue me unharmed by the battle.19 You have always ruled,and you will hear me.You will defeat my enemies because they won’t turnand worship you. 20 My friend turned against me-and broke his promise.21 His words were smoother than butter, and softer than olive oil.But hatred filled his heart,and he was ready to attack with a sword. 22 Our LORD, we belong to you.We tell you what worries us,and you won’t let us fall.23 But what about those people who are cruel and brutal?You will throw them down into the deepest pit long before their time.I trust you, LORD!
2 Corinthians 2
Forgiveness5 I don’t want to be hard on you. But if one of you has made someone feel bad, I am not really the one who has been made to feel bad. Some of you are the ones. 6 Most of you have already pointed out the wrong that person did, and this is punishment enough for what was done.7 When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair. 8 You should make them sure of your love for them.9 I also wrote because I wanted to test you and find out if you would follow my instructions. 10 I will forgive anyone you forgive. Yes, for your sake and with Christ as my witness, I have forgiven whatever needed to be forgiven. 11 I have done this to keep Satan from getting the better of us. We all know what goes on in his mind.
2 Corinthians 2:-11 | CEV
In my prayer time this morning, these two passages stood out in my mind. I was led to both of them, though unsure if they, together form the message God wants you to hear today… but here they are.
Let me be a vessel for you, o Lord, to do what You’ve asked me to do. Strengthen and equip me, and open my eyes to Your plan, keeping my ever vigilant to be aware of my enemy. Let my enemy never dwell over me. Give me grace and wisdom. Give me words when I have none. Let not the Enemy have authority of my life but let my life be pleasing to You and you alone. Give me courage and wisdom to carry on. In Your holy name I pray….
SB
Journey-For-Life 