The High Cost of a Wrongful Act

 Psalm 55:20-23

I believe one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do was forgive myself for a wrongful act against a friendship.  My now ex-friend came to me after some time and asked me to forgive him, I had done the wrong, and did not dare go to him.  These were the words of my now ex-friend, “I’ve hated you and wanted to harm you, and have had no peace; I need you to forgive me.”  I share this not because I’m proud of my actions, but of what my now ex-friends act of doing the will of God, and it allowed me to share with him feebly, how sorry I was for my sinful actions.  But trust was broken, and it cost me a friend, a relationship, and it was one bought lesson that I would not wish on anyone.

David experienced an act of broken trust with a friend, a broken promise, but it also seems as if the person had no fear of God.  Spending a career in sales you work with and compete with all kinds of people.  It was what I referred to as those “Silver tongue devils” that got by with what David refers to as “buttery words,” but often would not do what they promised.  This one was smooth, it reminds me of David's third son Absalom. 

Do you recall that Absalom killed one of the king’s sons for violating his sister and was put out of Israel by David, it might be of help to read 2 Samuel 14:25, ^“In all Israel, there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot, there was no blemish in him.”  I’ve shared with many a young man that just because a girl or woman is beautiful, does not mean she has a good heart, there may be a demon living inside her.  The same goes for handsome men, as you will see with Absalom if you turn to 2 Samuel 15:1-6.  I’m not saying David is referring to Absalom, but his actions fit nicely into this Psalm.

If you read 2 Samuel 15:1-6, you understand that Absalom set out to turn the men of Israel against His dad, and then started a rebellion to kill his dad.  We also see that David did cast his burden on the Lord, and not only did God sustain him, He also protected him and gave him victory over all who rebelled.

Even though David’s heart was broken over what Absalom did, it also broke his heart when he was killed in battle.  But later, much later, Psalm verse 23 reflects God’s judgment on those who do evil and will not confess it with a broken and contrite heart.  Verse 23, “But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days.  But as for me, I trust in you.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice