The Betrayal Above All Others

Did you ever notice there are different degrees of betrayal? Or, at least it seems that way. There is the betrayal by people you read about in newspapers and see in the news. Those that betray are words and names in the media. There is the betrayal by people you run across some time or other in your lifetime. There is the betrayal by acquaintances. Maybe co-workers from your sister company. Or a friend of a friend you met at a party some time ago. Then, there is the betrayal above all others.

Oh, to be betrayed by the ones who said they love you, whom for all intents and purposes you felt you should have been able to trust, who portray an image to the world that they are the elite, and, worst of all, the ones who carry on as though nothing happened – spending their life savings in denial and deception, and pretending to live happily ever after while you sustain the blows, the hurts, the wounds, the aftermath, and the very echo, echo, echo of heart ache that goes away for seasons before another echo, ouch.

Somewhere along the way, I stumbled upon some scriptures that helped me to remember this:

1. I am not alone in being betrayed, and neither are you.
2. There is only ONE whom I am truly to trust.
3. God wants our whole hearts, yes, all of them – hurt and heart ache included.
4. Those who betray, including those who deny their wrongdoing, will be held accountable just like we are all held accountable for sins. Forgiveness and everlasting life come only through the Gospel, through repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and a life following Him.
5. Cast not stones with our hearts; take out logs!
6. Vengeance is not to be tucked away daintily in our pocketbooks, nor to belong to us at all!
7. Forgive, always.
8. Trust God to take care of evildoers. He will.

Does it still hurt sometimes? Yes, absolutely. Especially when it’s the betrayal above all others. But even when the betrayal is above all others, it is not greatest of all. For above even the greatest betrayal is seated the One whose name is above all others.

His name is Holy, His name is righteous, and in His name, in Him, I find my peace. No matter what the betrayers do. No matter what they say. No matter how much it seems they are still getting away with what they have done. No matter how much my heart hurts once more.

My rest is in Him.
My peace is in Him.
My refuge is in Him.

Alas, I must lift up my shield of faith and let the fiery darts of pain bounce off my sturdy shield and fall to the ground.

While, as I heard a pastor say years ago, I can lean back on His everlasting arms.

And sigh, and breathe, and recover, and heal, and wait while I renew my strength, in the arms of my Lord.

Where I belong.

In Christ.

“Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.” Psalm 20:7 NASB

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. … Pour out your hearts before him! God is our shelter! … ” Psalm 62:8 NASB “they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5“Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” (John 8:4-11 NASB) “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” Luke 6:42 NASB “For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” Hebrews 10:30 NASB 14“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14 “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Psalm 37 1-3 “Yet those who wait for the LORD             Will gain new strength;             They will mount up with wings like eagles,             They will run and not get tired,             They will walk and not become weary.” Psalm 40:31 NASB

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