How does God respond to me when I feel rejected?

Psalm 27:10Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.

Psalm 94:14The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.

Isaiah 49:15-16“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I [the Lord] would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.”

God loves us no matter what we have done or how rejected we feel. If we feel lonely and abandoned, we should remember that God wants to welcome us with open arms and hold us close.

Genesis 16:7-8, 13The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied. . . . Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?”

Rejection may cause us to feel lost, like Hagar. But God always sees us and invites us to experience his presence and acceptance, just as Hagar did.

Isaiah 50:6-9I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear! See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

Isaiah 54:17In that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!

Sometimes rejection comes about through injustice. But God brings justice and mercy to the rejected.

Romans 8:18What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

1 Peter 4:13Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

Revelation 2:10Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

God has a special reward in heaven for those who are rejected for their faith in Jesus.