Psalm 41

Here was, to me, one of the most interesting parts of this chapter: “Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.” (vs 9)

Does that remind you of anything? It’s pretty much what Jesus said to Judas during the Last Supper (Matt 26:23). And that wasn’t the first time this happened to God. A long time ago, a former friend of His in heaven betrayed Him and started a war (Rev 12:7-9). It seems that God is no stranger to betrayal.

And really, that’s a fascinating thing to contemplate, isn’t it? God is the Creator of the universe. He’s all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present. If He so chose, He could make it so nobody could ever oppose Him or even have a simple disagreement with Him. God is the last person who should ever have to face betrayal.

But He has been on the receiving end of betrayal more than once simply because God values love and freedom over His own personal comfort. He would rather us be free to choose—even if we choose to hate Him—than for there to not be the possibility of love in His universe. He would rather suffer betrayal than live with creatures who weren’t free to choose.

What dictator from Earth’s history has ever allowed betrayal? What king has ever tolerated insubordination? Our God is unlike any other king we have ever known. He creates with freedom so as to have the option of love. And with that comes the possibility of betrayal.

So, if you’ve suffered a betrayal, you’re not alone. Even God has had His friends turn against Him.