When Betrayal Comes, God Will Fight For You
Take the very hardest thing in your life – the place of difficulty, outward or inward, and expect God to triumph gloriously in that very spot. Just there He can bring your soul into blossom. Lilias Trotter
When we face betrayal, we instinctively feel that we need to prepare ourselves to fight our way out of it. Our default setting is to put up all our defences. We put on our boxing gloves, we build the rampart, we weaponise ourselves – with words and plans. We are ready to fight. After all, we have been shamed and wounded. So we have every right to fight back. We have the right to seek justice for ourselves. But what we are doing is fighting a battle that God may not have sanctioned. A battle that He alone can fight for us. He is our omnipotent God and is more than able to fight for us.
When God gave Moses the task of bringing the people of Israel out of bondage to slavery in Egypt, he came up against opposition from Pharaoh and his leaders. When Pharaoh eventually lets them go, God specifically leads them around the desert towards the Red Sea. (Genesis 13:18). He goes ahead of them, leading miraculously by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. (Genesis 13:21-22)
Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord
However, Pharaoh realised that he had made a mistake by letting them go. He betrays them by breaking his promise to Moses. He pursues them with his vast army so that he can return them to Egypt. When the people of Israel see Pharaoh’s army, they are terrified. But Moses encourages them with these words from the Lord:
“‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’” Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)
Moses knew they were not able to fight the Egyptians. He knew that they were no match for them. But he also knew that the King of glory, the Lord God Almighty, mighty in battle (Psalm 24:8), was able to deliver them. All they needed to do was stay calm, be silent and watch what God, their Mighty Warrior, would do for them. God was true to His promise. He delivered them from the Egyptians by parting the Red Sea so that they could cross over safely to the other side. They did not have to build any ramparts, weaponise themselves by putting on armour and taking up arms. They didn’t have to come up with a plan or argue with Pharaoh about how he betrayed their trust. All they needed to do was trust God’s omnipotence and omniscience to deliver them.
This is what Joseph did. He trusted God to deliver him from the consequences of his brothers’ betrayal. He didn’t seek justice for himself. He didn’t come up with a plan on how he could appeal the prison sentence he was given when he was wrongfully accused. Joseph knew his God. He knew that He is the One who:
Rescues us - 1 Samuel 17:47 (NLT)
Gives us the victory - Deuteronomy 20:4 (ESV)
Gives us peace in the battle - John 16:33 (NIV)
Intercedes for us in the battle - Romans 8:34 (ESV)
Is on our side - Romans 8:31 (ESV)
Loves us in the battle - Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)
Reflection
When you have been betrayed or wronged in any way, did you try to find justice for yourself? I would like to invite you to trust God to fight the battle for you. He is omniscient and sees the bigger picture. He is omnipotent and is able to work miracles on your behalf.
Prayer
Dear Lord, forgive me for seeking justice for myself. Forgive me for doing things in my own strength. Lord, I give this injustice, this betrayal to You. You see the battle I am facing because of it. Help me to stand still and allow You, my Mighty Warrior, to deliver me. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for interceding for me before the Father. Thank You, that I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.
