Psalm 55:²⁰ My companion laid hands on a friend and violated a covenant with me ²¹ with speech smoother than butter, but with a heart set on war; with words that were softer than oil, but in fact were drawn swords. ²² Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 

First – apologies for missing a few days. Each day I wrote about half a reflection and then got distracted so never finished. But today, I’m back! And now, today’s reflection:

Two things get my attention. First there is the pain of being betrayed by someone close, one who smiles in David’s face then sticks a knife in his back. If this has ever happened to you, you can empathize with David. It can be devastating. The second thing I notice is v.22:

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

The promise of this verse is that the Lord will not allow the righteous “to be moved” – to fall, to be struck down, to be laid low. It’s a promise of protection from the Lord. Yet today we also read a passage from the book of Job which tells the story of one whom God calls righteous (Job) and yet suffers terrible loss anyway. I expect the book of Job was written to try to help believers explore the experience of perceived “betrayal” from God.

Heavenly Father give us understanding. And where we cannot find understanding give us peace. Amen.