They say that betrayal cuts deeper than any kind of pain. It’s the searing pain of being stabbed in the back. And boy, that hurts, doesn’t it? Because only a friend can betray you. An enemy can't. You expect enemies to hurt you, right? That's why betrayal hurts so badly.
People aren't the only ones who get betrayed. God gets betrayed, too. The fact that someone from the Lord's inner circle of closest friends once stabbed Him in the back, that fact should be very unsettling for those of us in the Lord's circle of friends today. It should concern us that Judas, the one who knew the Lord so intimately, could fail Him so completely.
It's scary to think that we could do the same. We who know the Lord intimately often have the greatest potential to fail Him the most. We will sing "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" in one breath, and then go out and act like He's anything but a friend. We end up generally acting like a real Judas. We dishonor the Lord's name, discredit His reputation. And oh how it must hurt the heart of our Savior.
We'd do it all the time were it not for the Lord's intercessory prayers for us. Thank heavens, He prays for us! He knows all about those times when you and I are tempted to betray Him with an act of stubborn disobedience. Jesus knows very well that our faith can fail. That's why He prayed for Simon Peter. He said, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail." That's why He prays for you, too. He knows your faith can fail.
And I am relieved that Jesus prays for us. Believe me, our Christian life would be a sham were it not for the fact that the Lord is interceding for you and me right now. Why not, in your intercessions, maybe this evening, or this afternoon, take a moment to thank God that His prayers are sustaining you and keeping you from falling and failing. Betrayal is an awful thing, so bless the Lord that He intercedes. Enemies of the Lord may mock Him, agnostics may scorn Him, and atheists may laugh at Him. Disbelievers may ignore Him, and apostates may make light of Him. But you, only you, can betray Him. You are the only one who can stab Him in the back, so to speak.
Friend, take some advice, don't you dare. One "backstabbing"- and it happened at Calvary - is enough. Lean on your Lord's intercessions for you today and that will give you all the resource you need to love and obey.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends