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PROGRAM D-7325
One of the most wonderful gifts we can have in our lives is the gift of a true and trusted friend, one who loves at all times, who laughs when we laugh and cries when we cry, who speaks the truth to us in love and who helps us when we fall. Have you got a friend like that? If you have just one, you are blessed.
A really important question to ask yourself is: Are you that kind of a friend to those people whom God has put into your life? A good friend is one who keeps a confidence. When someone trusts you with some information that is confidential, are you very, very careful never to betray that confidence? That is a trust we should take very seriously.
Proverbs 11:13 says, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” And in Proverbs 20:19 it reminds us again that, “A gossip betrays a confidence so avoid a man who talks too much.” Can your friends rely on you to keep their confidence? Gossip, of course, is one sure way to damage friendships and lose a person’s confidence. Do you avoid gossip like the plague?
Now, let’s reverse that question, and ask what we do when someone betrays our confidence. David had that experience; he wrote in Psalm 41:9: “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” He doesn’t say exactly who he was referring to, but it’s likely it was Ahithophel, who was David’s trusted counselor. Ahithophel conspired with Absalom to overthrow David and make Absalom king. This was a man who had for years been David’s closest counselor, and now he becomes his hidden enemy.
Nothing can hurt much more than having a friend betray you. What can you do? Well, remember that vengeance belongs to the Lord, not to you. Don’t try to equal the score; let God do that.
Then follow Jesus’ instructions to pray for your enemies and do good to those who despitefully use you. Find something good to do for that friend who has betrayed you. Obviously, the friendship will change because confidence and trust have been destroyed. But be willing to forgive, even if you’re not asked to, and don’t allow your friend’s betrayal to cause you to become bitter and angry.