Rejection

Scripture:

1 Samuel 8:5-8 They presented their case: "Look, you're an old man, and your sons aren't following in your footsteps. Here's what we want you to do: Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else." (6) When Samuel heard their demand--"Give us a king to rule us!"--he was crushed. How awful! Samuel prayed to GOD. (7) GOD answered Samuel, "Go ahead and do what they're asking. They are not rejecting you. They've rejected me as their King. (8) From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they've been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they're doing it to you.

Observation:

Israel wanted a king for several reasons: (1) Samuel's sons were not fit to lead Israel. (2) The 12 tribes of Israel continually had problems working together because each tribe had its own leader and territory. It was hoped that a king would unite the tribes into one nation and one army. (3) The people wanted to be like the neighboring nations. This is exactly what God didn't want. Having a king would make it easy to forget that God was their real leader. It was not wrong for Israel to want a king; God had mentioned the possibility in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. Yet, in reality, the people were rejecting God as their leader. The Israelites wanted laws, an army, and a human monarch in the place of God. They wanted to run the nation through human strength, even though only God's strength could make them flourish in the hostile land of Canaan.

The people clamored for a king, thinking that a new system of government would bring about a change in the nation. But because their basic problem was disobedience to God, their other problems would only continue under the new administration. What they needed was a unified faith, not a uniform rule. Our obedience is weak if we ask God to lead our family or personal life but continue to live by the world's standards and values. Faith in God must touch all the practical areas of life.

Application:

Samuel had to deal with rejection, which can be very painful. God reminded him that they were not rejecting him (Samuel) but God. He told Samuel, "They are not rejecting you. They've rejected me as their King. (8) From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they've been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they're doing it to you." Even after hearing those words, the rejection was still painful.

When you've been abused you not only carry with you the memories, but also anger over the fact that nobody stepped in to help you. Listen, "No one looked on you with pity... you were thrown into the open field" (Ezekiel 16:5 NIV).

Never allow somebody else's opinion of you determine how you see yourself! That's too much power to give to anybody. If others don't value your worth, that's their problem - unless you make it yours!

When people reject you, it's because they don't have the ability to see inside you, or hear the meaning behind your words, or feel the quality of your touch. They've bought into a lie; make sure you don't buy into it also!

Until you learn to care for yourself, you won't be able to properly care for anybody else. You can only give to others out of the well of your own self-worth. Most physical abusers don't hate their families, they hate themselves. It just overflows to those nearest. Paul says, "He who loves his wife loves himself" (Ephesians 5:28 NIV). But what if he doesn't love himself?

"What's the answer?" you ask. "Then I passed by and saw you" (Ezekiel 16:6 NIV). God sees you, He loves you, and He has a wonderful plan for your life. When you can accept that, your healing has begun.

Prayer:

"Lord, I am so thankful for Your acceptance. Like Samuel, I have faced rejection at times from those who I love, and who have said they loved me. When friendship with me benefited them, then they acted friendly. When treating me badly benefited them, they acted anything but friendly. Today you have helped me to see that the real person being rejected is YOU. Please forgive me for the times I have acted like a martyr and wallowed around in self-pity. Self-pity has never, and never will, helped Your cause and Kingdom. It draws attention away from You onto myself. Forgive me Lord for responding in that way. Today, I refuse to allow anyone a vote in who I am. Today, I will not let anyone determine my self-worth. You are my king. You are my hope. You are my joy. You are my peace. You are my encouragement. You are my friend that is closer than a brother. You are my daily bread. You are my light. You are my shepherd. You are my defender. You are my conquering king. You love, know, and accept me as Your friend. I am so thankful for that. In Jesus' name, amen!"