During 2025, Peachtree Church is focusing on the Book of Psalms with a series called Dwell, through which we seek to deepen our conversation with God and open ourselves to hearing his response. The practice of praying three times each day will unite the voices of our hearts and souls as we seek the day when we will see the full realization of the Kingdom of God, promised in Revelation 21:3: “…Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
We will email devotionals twice weekly with Monday’s providing an overview of the Psalm as a whole, and Wednesday’s focused on that week’s Daily Dwell.
Psalm 55:1-5
Listen to my prayer, O God,
do not ignore my plea;
hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
because of what my enemy is saying,
because of the threats of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me
and assail me in their anger.
My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death have fallen on me.
Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.”
Devotional
I’ve been re-watching Season 5 of The Chosen, an account of the ministry of Jesus, his teaching, miracles and interactions with his disciples. The episodes I last watched feature Judas and his frustration with Jesus. Judas wants Jesus to call down vengeance on the Romans and to make alliances with the Sanhedrin. He begs Jesus to follow his advice and take the throne of David. Jesus says to him, “When did I ever ask you for advice?” We know that Jesus has an overarching plan far greater and harder than anything Judas could imagine. When Judas tries to force his plan on Jesus, and when he leaves the upper room to sell Jesus out to the High Priest (which he hopes will force Jesus to act the way he wants), the parting is bitter and hard on both sides. Jesus knows Judas has seen his very heart and yet does not trust him to do the Father’s will. Instead, Judas wants Jesus to do his (Judas’) will. Judas has been a close friend, companion, and disciple. And yet, he is the betrayer of Jesus, giving him into the hands of his enemies.
Our Psalm for this week, Psalm 55, has as its background a friendship that is betrayed by one who was a close and trusted companion. It is labeled a maskil, meaning that its purpose is to teach something. As we look over the whole Psalm, what does it teach us?
The Psalm lets us know that sharing everything we are feeling with God is not only allowed, but encouraged. It describes a terrible situation in which the writer feels that enemies are out to get him, and worst of all, a close and trusted friend has betrayed him. That betrayal hurts worse than the violence and threats the writer is coping with. He briefly wishes he had the wings of a dove to fly away from all his troubles, and then he remembers that the Lord will rescue him and deal with his enemies. He remembers that he can cast his cares on the Lord, and that he can trust in Him. The Psalm teaches us that God may be relied on and trusted, even when friends turn Judas and betray us. It teaches us that we may safely leave our enemies in God’s hands for his judgment.
There was an incident in King David’s life that may be the background to this Psalm. You can read it in 2nd Samuel chapters 15-18. In David’s prime, his son Absalom formed an opposition to his father, and gathered rebels to his faction. Absalom even brought into his party a dear friend and advisor of King David, who betrayed and worked against him. It’s interesting to note that this “Judas” of King David’s eventually hanged himself when his advice was not followed by Absalom. Maybe one of the things this Psalm teaches us is the terrible fate of betrayers.
Our Psalm teaches us that no matter what the situation, even if friends betray and let us down, God may be trusted, and we can cast our cares on Him. We can depend on God no matter what.
For Reflection
- Have you ever been betrayed by a friend, or let down by a friend you thought you could depend on?
- How can you be a friend who is faithful?
- How has God been the Friend who never let you down?
Prayer
Dear Lord, I have felt the pain of knowing that someone I trusted with my heart and my secrets and my life has done me wrong. Help me never to do this to someone who loves and trusts me. Make me trustworthy and dependable and out for the good of my friends and family. And Lord, help me to lean on you as the Friend of my heart and soul, who will never leave me or forsake me. I know you will be with me all my life, until I walk through the valley of the shadow and enter the joy of your home. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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Devotionals