Rejection and Abandonment
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Have you ever felt abandoned?
All of us have felt that way at some point. What makes this even harder is when we feel that God has abandoned us.
Have you ever felt abandoned by God? If so, why?
It is easy to feel that God is not there when you are facing extremely difficult times. When someone you love is sick, hurt, or dying, or when extreme calamity is in your life, it is very easy to think that God is no longer there.
However, God assures us that He is always there. In Deuteronomy 31:6, God declares, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
God gives us some commands. He tells us to not fear or have dread. That can be very hard to do, because there will be times when you face very difficult challenges or trauma. So, why would you not fear or have dread? Because you can be sure that God is with you through the whole situation. He will never leave nor forsake you.
Two weeks ago, you began the Book of James. God told us to count our trials as pure joy. How are you able to find joy in the midst of your trials?
God sees us through the trials. That is what Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, that He goes with us. It also tells us that He will never leave us. Does it give you great hope in your trials knowing God is there and that He will never abandon you?
This is not the only place God assures us of this truth. Psalms 27:10 tells us, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.” Even if the ones who should always love us (our mom and dad) turn against us, God is still there, taking us in.
This is one of the most difficult concepts to believe, because many of us have parents who did not stick with us during hard times. We compare our earthly parents to God and think our Father in heaven will act as our parents do. Does this thought cross your mind?
It is easy to think this way, but God assures us that He is never leaving. In fact, during your darkest times, He is there. Psalm 34:18 reads: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” When you were crushed and brokenhearted, did you think God was there?
It may seem difficult to believe that because He is not fixing the situation. However, what does James 1:2-4 tell us about how God is using that situation?
God is strengthening you during the struggle. This is why Psalm 23:4 tells us that we walk through the valley of the shadow of the valley of death as God guides us with His rod and staff. We are not told that we walk into the valley. We are not told we walk around it. We go through it, because God is there the entire time to guide us.
Is God with you when you are facing your struggles? Is He guiding you through your “valleys?”
You Are Not Rejected!
One of the most difficult things to overcome his rejection. Sadly, we face a lot of rejection in our lives. Girls may not like us. People we meet may reject us. Even our own family and friends could turn on us, rejecting us.
Have you faced times of rejection?
Just as God wanted to assure you that he would never abandon you, He assures us that we will never be rejected by Him. Romans 11:2 tells us, “God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.” In Isaiah 41:9-10, God states, “9 … You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Truthfully, you are going to be rejected by others in your life. However, what does God assure us?
Most often, the reason we feel rejected by God is because we live in the shame of our sin. We cannot believe that God would still love us because of the terrible things we have done. However, God assures us in these verses that he will never reject us.
Do you believe that God does not love you because of your sin? Can you believe that God loves you no matter what?
There are many verses in the Bible that assure us that God will always be there. These are not just nice verses or things God just says. They are promises. They are guarantees.
Joshua 1:9 tells us: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God is telling you to be strong and courageous because He is not going anywhere. He is never going to leave you, reject you, walk away from you, or abandon you in any way.
Can you trust that God is always there for you?
If you trusted that God will never abandon or reject you, how do you think that will change your life?
Your Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
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