Day 19: Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
Psalm 41 is a psalm of lament, describing intense suffering: gossip, slander, and betrayal. One of Jesus’ 12 disciples, Judas Iscariot, betrayed him. Judas was a friend and close to the Lord. They shared bread together (when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper). Not long after Jesus washed Judas’ feet, Judas betrayed him to the authorities. Jesus experienced the depth of this emotional suffering for us.
Jesus understands slander, suffered betrayal, faced discouragement. The king suffered and stayed committed and true to his people. David, the author of Psalm 41, was a king who faced this suffering, anticipating a greater king with a greater betrayal to come. Broken trust is painful. Because Jesus was betrayed for us:
We can be forgiven, and forgive.
We can be faithful when others are not.
We refrain from gossip, slander, and betraying actions. Jesus is trustworthy, and his people can be trusted.
Look for opportunities to live faithful to Jesus & others today.