Betrayed

Betrayed

Tamar

Read: 2 Samuel 13:1-14

The young woman unlocked her apartment door and collapsed on the sofa. I can’t believe I’ve done it again, she thought. After several dates, they’d already discovered many common interests, and they enjoyed each other’s company. But as usual, when a relationship started to get serious, she broke it off. It wasn’t Josh’s fault—he was always kind and considerate. Oh, how she wanted to trust him! But she couldn’t stand being touched. It always brought back those childhood memories . . . those evenings her mom worked the night shift . . . her stepfather’s footsteps coming toward her room. . . .

Tamar also knew how it felt to be betrayed. When her half-brother Amnon became infatuated with her, he pretended to be sick in order to get close to her. He even involved their father David in his scheme. Out of concern for Amnon, Tamar came to his house to make his favorite food. Amnon ordered the servants out and grabbed Tamar. Although Tamar pleaded with him not to do such a wicked thing, Amnon raped her. Tamar came to Amnon’s house to do something considerate for a sick brother. Instead, she’d ended up being violated as Amnon used her to satisfy his lust.

The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) estimates that one in six American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape. Many women experience abuse at the hands of the very people who should protect and care for them. Memories of rape or sexual abuse often cause women to lose trust in other people, which makes healthy relationships impossible. Although professional help may be needed, we can find comfort in being loved by a God who will never break our trust. Jesus Christ experienced betrayal, torture, and a horrible death on our behalf. Because of his love for us, we can always trust God with our lives, even when others turn out to be untrustworthy.

Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

Psalm 41:9