“Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. My enemies shout at me, making loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down. My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking. Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude” Psalms 55:1-7 NLT
I want to give some context to this psalm that might be helpful. Many scholars believe David was writing this Psalm to describe David’s son, Absolom, who betrayed him and sought to take the throne from him. Others believe this was also penned to speak of Ahithophel, one of David’s top advisors, who was a major voice in Absalom’s plot. This was someone that David trusted implicitly. Some even say this is a story foreshadowing Judas’ betrayal of Jesus because there are many similarities, ending with Ahithophel hanging himself.
“It is not an enemy who taunts me—I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion, and my close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.”
Psalms 55:12-14 NLT
“For my enemies refuse to change their ways; they do not fear God. As for my companion, he betrayed his friends; he broke his promises. His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!” Psalms 55:19-21 NLT
Just because we don’t slaughter animals and burn them on altars does not mean that worship is any less of a sacrifice. It always costs something to really worship God. At the very least, it requires turning away from our preoccupation with self and attending to the presence of God, as Eugene Peterson has said.
But this passage points to a sacrifice that is deeper and harder than that. David was appointed and promised the throne. And now, after receiving it, he is betrayed and has to flee Jerusalem. And betrayed by his own son, no less. How do we respond when we are assured that God will answer, and yet He delays, or His answer isn’t what we wanted?
There’s a common saying taken a little out of context from scripture that says that God will not give you more than you can handle. But I’m sure in your life, and I know in mine, it doesn’t feel that way in certain moments. It can often feel like He’s bringing us to a breaking point. But look at the way that David responded:
“But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me. God, who has ruled forever, will hear me and humble them.” Psalms 55:16-19 NLT
God often stretches us by putting us in situations that seem too much for us. In David’s case, it might not have been God’s entire reasoning or intent, but He tested David’s resolve and unearthed where his true hope is found.
A pastor once told me, “The end of the story is written, and the journey is God’s goal for our lives.” God will test our resolve to get us to a point where we will say, “I will trust You even when it doesn’t look like I should.” He might even put us in situations where He increases our faith to the point where we could speak like Job and say, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” Job 13:15 But one thing is clear: God can be trusted. He is our, “Refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1
“Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalms 55:22 NLT