“Help, Lord” (Psalms 12:1)  

At one of the lowest points of his life, David prays, “Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men” (Psalms 12:1). Because we live in a fallen world, people you trust, even people in your church, will let you down, and because God won’t often share with you what He’s doing, you’ll just have to trust, “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). 

 The Apostle Paul rejoiced in prison, that despite the treachery of people he trusted, God was in control. “I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel …Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains … WHAT THEN? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” (Philippians 1:12-18). Where Paul says “WHAT THEN?”, we’d probably say, “SO WHAT?”. You have the ability to say “SO WHAT?” when trials come, because you know it’s according to God’s plan. That’s the reason Paul says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). 

 David was betrayed by someone in his church: “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it ... it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God” (Psalm 55:12-14). But Christ gave you specific instructions: “pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). This is not optional. I know men and women who once were very productive, who because they will not forgive, now live useless lives. It’s not too late to obey Christ. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).