SMOKED
Psalm 41:9 – “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”
It can be a tough thing to deal with when someone turns on you. The real kicker is when it’s someone who you thought was a friend. The closeness of this friend in verse 9 is emphasized with several phrases and adjectives: “familiar friend,” “in whom I trusted,” “who ate my bread.” So it’s someone very close to you who knows you well; someone you put a lot of confidence in and someone you shared meals with.
Jesus quoted this verse in the New Testament at The Last Supper. John 13:18 – “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’” He was obviously referring to Judas.
So how do you handle it when someone really close to you burns you? I think there are several lessons to learn from the Master Himself on that fateful night.
1. Keep Trusting. He did not let His disappointment with Judas affect His relationship with the other disciples. Have you ever met someone who makes everyone pay for the wrong done by one person? Don’t become like that. Not everyone is a traitor and not everyone who becomes close to you needs a background check and a private eye assigned to him or her.
2. Keep Loving. The amazing thing about Jesus’ speech to the disciples after Judas’ departure was that it was filled with love. He told them He loved them and they should love one another. Make sure the reservoir of love runs deep in your life. If someone depletes some of it, make sure there’s still plenty left over to remain a loving human being.
3. Keep Focused. Jesus did not let this setback hinder Him from moving forward and accomplishing what He was called to do. Don’t let disappointments in others sidetrack you from the main goal of your life. It’s not worth it. God will bring into your life faithful friends who will stand by you.