“I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.”
- Psalm 41:11-13 -

Amen and Amen.

David is doubly betrayed by others. Some people pretend to be friends but come only to learn things they can use against him (v 6). Others share in the slander and false witness. However, the greatest betrayal is from someone close to him (v 9). In John’s gospel, Jesus quotes this verse at the Last Supper, when, having received bread, Judas leaves. Yet David’s confidence in the ultimate mercy and justice of God is again justified: echoed so powerfully and finally in the Messiah’s own victory over evil and death.

We too can share confidence in God, whatever burdens we are carrying. We can admit our faults to God and rely on the peace of forgiven sins. We can ask God to give us concern for the weak and make them a priority in our Christian service. Wherever we are weak, we can know God’s restoring strength and his blessings on our daily lives. The victory that David glimpsed and Jesus knew is ours also, through God’s eternal love.

Prayer: Loving Lord, may I please you as I pursue integrity before you. I confess my weaknesses before you and ask for your grace to overcome them.

(A Summary from Encounter with God)