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
Psalm 74:1; Isaiah 49:14 See also Psalm 44:9, Psalm 108:11; Isaiah 40:27; Jeremiah 13:17, Jeremiah 14:9; Lamentations 1:2, Lamentations 5:20; Ezekiel 37:11
A Maskil of Asaph. Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?
But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!”
Feelings of personal rejection
Psalm 13:1; Matthew 27:46 parallel Mark 15:34 Jesus Christ experiences separation from his Father as a consequence of bearing human sin. See also Psalm 22:1–2, Psalm 43:2, Psalm 88:14
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
God's servants experience rejection
Samuel
“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.
Elijah
1 Kings 19:10 See also 1 Kings 18:22, 1 Kings 19:1–4
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
The psalmist
Psalm 41:7 See also Psalm 22:6–8, Psalm 31:12–13, Psalm 69:20, Psalm 71:10
All who hate me whisper against me; they imagine the worst for me:
Jeremiah
Jeremiah 15:10 See also Jeremiah 20:7–9, Jeremiah 20:14–15, Jeremiah 20:18
Woe to me, my mother, that you have borne me, a man of strife and conflict in all the land. I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me.
Jesus Christ
Isaiah 53:5; John 1:11 See also Luke 23:18
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
Jesus Christ's disciples
John 15:18 See also Matthew 5:10–11 parallel Luke 6:22; John 17:14; Acts 13:50, Acts 14:19, Acts 16:22; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.
Responding to rejection
Appealing to God
2 Chronicles 6:42; Psalm 27:9, Psalm 71:12 See also Psalm 22:9–11, Psalm 22:19–21, Psalm 44:23–24, Psalm 51:11–12, Psalm 77:7–12, Psalm 132:10; Jeremiah 15:15, Jeremiah 20:12; Lamentations 5:21–22
O LORD God, do not reject Your anointed one. Remember Your loving devotion to Your servant David.”
Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Be not far from me, O God. Hurry, O my God, to help me.
Offering forgiveness
Luke 23:34 See also Genesis 50:17; Acts 7:59–60; 2 Timothy 4:16
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
Rejoicing in suffering
Matthew 5:11–12 parallel Luke 6:22–23; Acts 5:41; Romans 5:3; James 1:2–3
Persevering
Encouragement for those experiencing rejection
God's commitment to his people
Isaiah 49:15–16 See also Psalm 27:10, Psalm 94:14; Jeremiah 31:20; Lamentations 3:21–24; Hosea 11:1–4; Matthew 10:30–31 parallel Luke 12:7
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.
God's compassion and forgiveness
Lamentations 3:31–32 See also Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 130:7–8; Isaiah 12:1–2, Isaiah 49:13; Ezekiel 39:25; Hosea 11:8–9; 2 Corinthians 2:7–8 God's readiness to forgive is to be reflected in the attitude of his people towards one another.
For the Lord will not cast us off forever. Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion.
God's strengthening
Isaiah 40:28–31; 2 Timothy 4:17
God's vindication of his people
Psalm 135:14; Isaiah 50:6–9, Isaiah 54:17; Romans 8:18; 1 Peter 4:13; Revelation 2:10
Support from fellow believers
2 Corinthians 1:4 See also Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 6:6–7
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.