Read 2 Samuel 15:1-12; 16:15-17:23; Psalm 41

Misplaced Trust

Have you ever heard the phrase, “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” When one reads the events concerning Ahithophel during Absalom’s rebellion against David, that question could certainly be asked. Ahithophel served as a trusted counselor to the king, but when he believed Absalom would succeed in overthrowing David, the counselor became a traitor.

Could he be the person that David had in mind when he penned the words of Psalm 41:9? “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Truly, the statement could refer to a number of people in David’s life, including his mutinous son Absalom or his advisor Ahithophel. To be sure, anyone in a position of power must consider the possibility that those who are closest to them might have ulterior motives. Even Jesus had a traitor among the Twelve: Judas Iscariot.

Does this mean that we should stop trusting the people around us? No! Keep in mind that they are human, however, and they have the capacity to sin. Pride and envy are dangerous attitudes and often we do not recognize them within our own lives until after we have succumbed to some temptation. There is One, however, that we can always trust without reservation.

God is faithful to the faithful: “Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble” (Psalm 41:1). This does not mean that everything will be good all the time. Rather, God will provide opportunities for those who want to obey Him to do what is right.

We are faced which temptations every day. It is a decision each must make whether he will give in to selfish desires or follow what God has inspired. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

You can trust the Lord. Can He trust you?