Redeemed From Rejection

Reflect on God’s Word

Have you ever endured rejection? Maybe you didn’t get the job you wanted. Or a friend misunderstood you. Or worse, maybe your spouse or your children turned their backs on you.

You’re in good company: Jesus also felt rejected and alone. The night before he died, he experienced great sorrow. In his distress, his sweat became drops of blood. Judas, one of his disciples, betrayed him and led the temple guards to arrest him. Can you imagine how painful that must have been? Jesus had spent hours and hours loving and teaching this man, and yet he turned against him. The next day, as Jesus was dying on the cross, he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34).

With the sins of the world on his shoulders, Jesus became sin for us and therefore could not be looked upon by his holy heavenly Father. We know it was only temporary, that once his blood was shed, the penalty would be paid, but even momentary separation from God the Father would have been gut-wrenching for Jesus.

Because Jesus was willing to experience God’s momen tary rejection, he paved the way for your sins to be forgiven so you could be welcomed as a beloved child of your heavenly Father!

In Galatians 4:4–6 (ESV) we read, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’”

Did you catch that? You have received the Spirit of God in your heart. You have been adopted into God’s family. You can now call God your daddy.

Imagine sitting under a tree with your heavenly Father. He sits next to you with his arm around you. A gentle breeze rustles through the branches above. Hear him tell you how much he loves you, how much you please him. You are the apple of his eye (Psalm 17:8). He delights in you (Psalm 18:19). He sings a love song to you (Zephaniah 3:17). He watches over you while you sleep and while you are awake (Psalm 3:5).

You openheartedly share with him your struggles and concerns. When you hesitate to reveal something, he lovingly urges you on. When you try to hide your face from him, he lifts up your head. You see only love in his eyes.

Your standing as a child of the King of Kings means you don’t need to let the rejection of any human or the loneliness it may bring define you. Yes, it stings. Yes, it can be so very painful. The key in those times is to look into your Father’s eyes and see his love for you. Your worth is not in what you can do, how attractive you are, or how much money you have. Your worth is completely in who you are: God’s child.

Release Your Loneliness

Are you feeling the loneliness that comes from rejection? Take a deep breath. Slowly exhale. Feel the rejection leaving your body. Thank God that he understands your pain because Jesus was also rejected. Now inhale. Breathe in the love your heavenly Father has for you. Feel it surround you like a warm blanket. You have been adopted into his family. Feel how much he loves you. Feel his peace in your heart.

Search your heart. Can you feel the love of God, your Father, who chose you to be part of his family? Picture yourself receiving the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of adoption. Watch closely as the Holy Spirit takes your hand and puts it into the hand of God, your heavenly Father. You have been adopted into his family.

Spend a few minutes thinking about how much God loves you. Thank Jesus for suffering rejection during his life so you could become a part of a forever family. Thank him for paving the way for God to adopt you into his family.

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to suffer rejection and loneliness on the cross to pay for my sins. Thank you for forgiving me and adopting me into your forever family. Today I receive your love. When I feel the sting of rejection, remind me you love me with perfect love. Open my heart and cause me to love you as my Abba, my Father. In the name of your Son, amen.

JOURNAL PROMPT: How has God comforted you during times of rejection and loneliness? Take a moment to write down your thoughts.