Today’s scripture: Psalm 43 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Kevin Konkle):
Remember in Shakespeare’s famous play how as Julius Ceasar is being betrayed and stabbed by the Roman Senators, he looks at one of his best friends, Brutus, who is about to put the final dagger in his body that will snuff out his life and says in Latin for the ages, “Et tu Brute?” (and you Brutus?)
Have you ever experienced the feeling of misplaced trust? The gut-wrenching feeling of doubt and despair at betrayal? Your diary was read by your brother. You were outed by your ex to your family. The day it dawned on you that many of things you had been taught all your life as absolute were questionable. The time friends left you, family looked down on you, the church scorned you, and God seemed in a very cold distant place far removed from you and your situation. Whether it be doctrines, denominations, or family and friends, all of us have experienced times of deep distress as everyone and everything seemed to be turning against us, no one seemed to be standing with us. You are not alone, much of humanity has ‘been there, done that, and couldn’t afford the t-shirt’.
David in Psalms 43 is in such bitter anguish in his mind. His kingdom was falling apart. People were turning on him right and left. He had no idea what to do or where to begin. Betrayals were happening to him on every side. In fact, even his own son, Absalom, was to betray him. It seemed everyone walked out on him… even God. Et tu Deo? “You too God?”, David said. He felt forsaken by even God himself. David almost fainted, he almost gave up completely. However in his deep despair, he focused his weeping and howling from the wind and focused it towards Heaven. He poured his soul out before God, and guess who heard his tears and showed up? Deo, God. As he prayed and wept God filled his body with strength, courage, and direction and David was able to praise the Lord and do amazing things for God’s Kingdom.
In those dark dreadful days when you feel like all has fallen apart, everyone is turning on you, and you think God has thrown up hands and given up you and you feel you can even say “Et tu Deo?”… just remember God is just a prayer away. Rather then turning your hurt away from God, turn it to God. Present to Jesus your wounds, place them in His nail-scarred hands. “Cast all your cares upon Jesus for He careth for you.” Let us not look on how big our problems are, but how big our God is! There is an old song whenever I have these Psalms 43 days that I like to sing. Maybe it will help you: “Turn it over to Jesus, turn it over to Jesus, turn it over to Jesus and you’ll smile the rest of the day.” Try it, you deserve it!
Prayer for the day: God when I feel like all is against me, when I feel betrayed and forsaken, help me to always remember that you will never leave me nor forsake me and that you are a very present help in the time of trouble. Amen!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.