6233 rejection, human experience of

Feelings of rejection by God may be a result of alienation caused directly or indirectly by sin. God’s people also experience rejection by a hostile world. Experiences and feelings of rejection are to be met with prayer, forgiveness and perseverance, together with confidence in God’s commitment to and compassion for, his people.

Feelings of rejection by God

Feelings of national rejection Ps 74:1; Isa 49:14 See also Ps 44:9; Ps 108:11; Isa 40:27; Jer 13:17; Jer 14:9; La 1:2; La 5:20; Eze 37:11

Feelings of personal rejection Ps 13:1; Mt 27:46 pp Mk 15:34 Jesus Christ experiences separation from his Father as a consequence of bearing human sin. See also Ps 22:1-2; Ps 43:2; Ps 88:14

God’s servants experience rejection

Samuel 1Sa 8:5-7

Elijah 1Ki 19:10 See also 1Ki 18:22; 1Ki 19:1-4

The psalmist Ps 41:7 See also Ps 22:6-8; Ps 31:12-13; Ps 69:20; Ps 71:10

Jeremiah Jer 15:10 See also Jer 20:7-9,14-15,18

Jesus Christ Isa 53:5; Jn 1:11 See also Lk 23:18

Jesus Christ’s disciples Jn 15:18 See also Mt 5:10-11 pp Lk 6:22; Jn 17:14; Ac 13:50; Ac 14:19; Ac 16:22; 2Ti 3:12; 1Pe 4:12

Responding to rejection

Appealing to God 2Ch 6:42; Ps 27:9; Ps 71:12 See also Ps 22:9-11,19-21; Ps 44:23-24; Ps 51:11-12; Ps 77:7-12; Ps 132:10; Jer 15:15; Jer 20:12; La 5:21-22

Offering forgiveness Lk 23:34 See also Ge 50:17; Ac 7:59-60; 2Ti 4:16

Rejoicing in suffering Mt 5:11-12 pp Lk 6:22-23; Ac 5:41; Ro 5:3; Jas 1:2-3

Persevering Ac 5:28-29,42

Encouragement for those experiencing rejection

God’s commitment to his people Isa 49:15-16 See also Ps 27:10; Ps 94:14; Jer 31:20; La 3:21-24; Hos 11:1-4; Mt 10:30-31 pp Lk 12:7

God’s compassion and forgiveness La 3:31-32 See also Dt 32:36; Ps 130:7-8; Isa 12:1-2; Isa 49:13; Eze 39:25; Hos 11:8-9; 2Co 2:7-8 God’s readiness to forgive is to be reflected in the attitude of his people towards one another.

God’s strengthening Isa 40:28-31; 2Ti 4:17

God’s vindication of his people Ps 135:14; Isa 50:6-9; Isa 54:17; Ro 8:18; 1Pe 4:13; Rev 2:10

Support from fellow believers 2Co 1:4 See also Ac 14:22; 2Co 6:6-7

See also