Rejected, but Never Alone

 

Jesus knows how it feels to face rejection from those to whom He poured out His life. He identifies with us when we dedicate our entire life to our family, church family and friends; yet, they walk away from us.

These people do not always respond positively to our presence in their life. Even our closest family members may attempt to wound us with their words and actions to cause us to reject them.

That way they can perceive themselves as the martyr in the relationship.  If, however, we do not reject them, they eventually reject us and accuse us of abusing them.

They want a reason to reject us, so they claim that we are toxic in their life. They discard us and walk away from us. They may think of us from time to time. These memories may even be positive and draw their hearts toward us; but they resist the urge to mend broken fences.

Showering them with God's unconditional Agape love at each door that God opens for us will ensure that they know deep down inside that we are always here for them, regardless of how they treat us.

We may move on with our life and walk through other doors that God provides for us, but we are always sensitive to their needs and respond in love rather than rejection when they happen to reach out to us.

This may restore our relationship with them and increase our ability to live Christ's life in their presence, giving them yet further opportunities to surrender their life to our Savior and King.

However, they may never approach us again - viewing us as dead to them or estranged. During their life, they cut us out of the momentous times in which we could share.

They want nothing to do with us and our special moments. We are rejected, but God never leaves us alone (Hebrews 13:5). He provides His Saints as our family and focus; and His presence in us sustains us throughout our lifetime.

Prayer:

Father God, our relationship with You is our focus in this life and for all eternity. People, places and times here on earth are a vapor on a cold day. Here for a moment and then vanished. Even a mate, parent or child may reject us; but You never leave us alone (Hebrews 13:5). You are the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:7).

Christ is our very life (Colossians 3:4). We need no one and nothing apart from You. You give us all things to enjoy in Your timing and way. If we do not have it, we do not need it, or You would supply it for us. We trust in Your wisdom and goodness.

Thought for the Day:

God holds the key to our relationships, and He decides whom to allow into our life for His reasons and purpose; we can know for certain that He does everything for our ultimate good. - Romans 8:28

Comfort

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. Then, when they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” - 2 Corinthians 1:4

The Bible stories we read as children and hear in sermons from every pulpit in the world are told in order to give us comfort and hope when we experience similar circumstances (Romans 15:4). Even in the valley of the shadow of death, we find comfort through the Lord’s protection and correction (Psalm 23:4). Then, we in turn can comfort others in their time of trouble. Job had three Christian brothers who came to “comfort” him in his affliction; yet, all they did was bring condemnation and more discouragement. We can learn from their example to act in a more sensitive and comforting manner when others need our help (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Psalm 119:50).

Sometimes, the Lord does not give us words of wisdom to share with a hurting friend or relative. This is when we simply offer to pray with them. At times, God wants our brother or sister to turn to Him in their crisis, rather than to us. This way He can comfort them personally. This will improve their relationship with God and also teach them to rely more on Him to meet all of their needs. The best help we can ever offer anyone is a personal relationship in Jesus Christ. They will appreciate our comfort, but their life will change for the better if we tell them about how much God really cares about them, enough to die on a cross in order to save them from eternal damnation (John 3: 16-18).

A few times in the Gospel accounts, we initially find Jesus exhibiting what we might term harsh or calloused behavior when people needed His help. But, as we read on, we see that God created these circumstances to show His glory. For instance, when Lazarus died, Martha condemned Jesus’ behavior and seeming lack of interest in His good friends’ plight (John 11:32). We all know that Jesus tarried in coming to see them, in order to set the stage for a monumental miracle in raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:5). The Holy Spirit will also lead us to do the Lord’s work in His way and timing in order to bring comfort to others as He comforts us.

Prayer:

We bless You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Through the sufferings of Your Son, You comfort us in all of our afflictions. Then we are able to comfort others who are also afflicted, through the comfort with which You comfort us. Our hope in You is steadfast, knowing that, since we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, we also share in Your comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).

Thought for the Day:

“Rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” - 2 Corinthians 13:11
 





Thank you, Sarah Patterson, for the use of your photo.