The phrase "stabbed in the back" comes from the assassination of Julius Caesar in March 44BC. He entered the senate (the Roman equivalent of the House of Commons) and took his seat. On cue, the Roman MPs en masse set about him with knives and swords until he was dead. Stabbed in the back - by his own.
David had his fair share of stabs in the back, most especially when his son Absalom lead coup against him, taking with him some of David's most trusted friends. Of course David was the forerunner of his greater son Jesus, who himself knew the pain of being stabbed in the back by his close friend, Judas.
In Psalm 55 David doesn't know who to trust: "my thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemies are saying" (v3). His anxiety is through the roof: "fear and trembling have beset me" (v5). Everywhere he looks is a potential enemy: "destructive forces are at work in the city, threats and lies never leave its streets" (v11). But the sharpness of this blade is felt most painfully because it is not from conventional enemies, but faux friends: "If an enemy were insulting me I could endure it... but it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend" (v12-13).
There are few worse pains than that of a beloved friend who stabs you in the back. The knee-jerk response is often to stab back harder. But what we have here in this psalm is the model way for the godly to respond.
1. Leave judgment to the Lord
Very often our natural instinct is personal revenge, be it physical, verbal or some other way. "I'll do back to them what they've done to me". But not David. He asks God to do the vengeance, in his way, in his timing and according to his justice. "God will hear them and humble them" (v19). "But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay" (v23).
It can be hard to let go of the desire to get personal revenge and leave it in the hands of God. It takes great faith. We secretly wonder if God will actually do anything about it. But he will, in this life or the next. And it will ultimately be 100% fair.
Picture Jesus, knowing Judas' betrayal, feeling the sharp stab of his team-mate of many years, giving him up to be killed for a bag of money. No-one has ever betrayed you or me that badly. But Jesus didn't take revenge. He didn't even utter a single word of malice. He entrusted Judas to God.
2. Look to the Lord for help in distress
In his anxiety and need, David doesn't find inner strength and resolve to carry on. He goes to God in faith. "As for me, I call to God and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress and he hears my voice" (v16). "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken" (v22). David prays all day, placing his anxieties and needs at the feet of God and in faith believing God will provide.
Note the two truths David firmly believes that keeps him praying in faith to God rather than trusting in himself. Firstly, he knows the truth that God "hears his voice" (v16). When you are anxious and fearful, you feel alone and wonder if God is listening. We need to believe and know he does. Secondly, he knows the truth that our Father will sustain us (v22). Our Father decides the exact moment individual sparrows die, how much more will he watch over you (Matt 10:29-31)? He clothes the flowers and feeds the birds, how much more will he provide for you (Matt 6:28-34)?
Prayer
Father, I am anxious because of the intentions of others against me. I feel deep pain because of what my friend has said or done against me. Please would you uphold me, strengthen me and sustain me for I really need your help. I pray for that person that in your mercy you would convict them of their sin and bring them to repentance both to you and to me. Please restore us. And I trust you for justice in all of this. Thank you Father that you hear my prayer and will watch over me. Amen.
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