Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6100 Aspects of sin  »  6230 rejection  »  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

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

Feelings of personal rejection

Psalm 13:1; Matthew 27:46 pp 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

God's servants experience rejection

Samuel

1 Samuel 8:5-7

Elijah

1 Kings 19:10 See also 1 Kings 18:22; Kings 19:1-4

The psalmist

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

Jeremiah

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

Jesus Christ

Isaiah 53:5; John 1:11 See also Luke 23:18

Jesus Christ's disciples

John 15:18 See also Matthew 5:10-11 pp Luke 6:22; John 17:14; Acts 13:50; Acts 14:19; Acts 16:22; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12

Responding to rejection

Appealing to God

2 Chronicles 6:42; Psalm 27:9; 71:12:00 See also Psalm 22:9-11,19-21; 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

Offering forgiveness

Luke 23:34 See also Genesis 50:17; Acts 7:59-60; 2 Timothy 4:16

Rejoicing in suffering

Matthew 5:11-12 pp Luke 6:22-23; Acts 5:41; Romans 5:3; James 1:2-3

Persevering

Acts 5:28-29,42

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 pp Luke 12:7

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.

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

See also

1030  God, compassion
1085  God, love of
1320  God as Saviour
5770  abandonment
5789  anger
5799  bitterness
5820  criticism
5927  resentment
6115  blame
6652  forgiveness
8602  prayer
8794  persecution