The Attacks of A Friend

Most of the time we can anticipate or at least react to attacks from external situations - such as persecution at work for being a Christian, the enemy loosing some fiery missile against us - tempting us or we fall all on our own, or a circumstance that occurs to us - such as a car accident, loss of job, or illness.

In fact, these are the three major areas of trouble we encounter - trouble as part of the creation, trouble from our own weakness, or trouble as a result of our relationship with Christ.

We steel ourselves for the attack, pray against the enemy, are viligant and aware. But what happens when attack comes from a quarter we never expected - from a friend, confidant, or relative? We are usually totally unprepared, surprised, disallusioned, and devestated.

This has happened to me before - and happened to King David.

Psalm 55:12-14
2 For it is not an enemy who taunts me — then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me — then I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. 14 We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng. ESV

How can you possibly prepare yourself to be attacked by someone on your "trusted list."? The short answer - you can't. If you suspected everyone all the time you would never have any close relationships. The truth is, a friend or a partner in ministry can do a lot of damage by words and actions and there's nothing you can do about it. Almost.

First, David asks for justice and victory from the Lord. In times when attack comes from an unexpected source, don't let the intense pain dull you to the reality of your advocate in God. Ask God to win the victory even over those close to you.

Does that mean you go on the attack yourself? I don't think so. You defend where you need to, but in the end, it is relying on God that sees you through, not smashing down your friend.

David goes on in Psalm 55:

22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. ESV

The point is - let your pain and suffering be known to the Lord, cast it on His broad shoulders, ask Him for the ultimate victory - and you will not be moved. The word in Hebrew means to waver - to shake, slip, or fall. You may have been wounded, you may have been stabbed, you may have been hurt - but with God holding you up and you relying on Him - not on your relationship with others for your security - you will not stumble.