Home »
The true and Living God, the Everlasting Father, has called you, and appointed you. He has chosen you, even before you were formed in your mother’s womb, and set you apart. And, He knows the plans that He has for your life; plans that are for your welfare and your peace; to give you a future and a hope. He knows, and He also wants to lead, and guide you in the fulfillment of it. Thus it is, that the psalmist’s words become one that is relevant even today, to be studied and applied in our lives, for he prays, Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; And may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. [Psalm 143:10] And it is by the instruction of the Holy Spirit, that comes to you through the scriptures that God leads you. It is what the word of God goes on to declare, through the mouth of the prophet. [Isaiah 28:26]
The life of Moses, yields rich insights into how a loving God deals with a person whom He has called for a special purpose, be it big or small from a worldly perspective. For, even as His plan and calling for your life comes as a revelation from God in your spirit, and you know then in your heart that it is God’s plan for your life, there is nothing that the evil one likes to do, than to keep you from embracing it, and carrying it out! With Moses it was no different, for initially, he went through turbulent times that left him in fear and doubt. He was certainly not the towering leader that he was at the end of his life, and when he began to grasp the call of God, the immense proportions of it, he truly thought he was not equipped or prepared for it. And it can be so very true even in your life and mine.
There ensued then, as described in the third and fourth chapters of Exodus, a powerful and illuminating conversation between God and Moses, one that imparts life and truth to the heart that is willing and obedient unto God, even this day. For, the Lord had an answer to every question of Moses, regarding his lack and inability, proving that it is useless indeed to try and argue with God. He will certainly win, and Him winning would be for your good, even as it happened in His encounter with Moses.
The God who is ‘Always’ :
The Lord unraveled the self focus of Moses, to turn it upon Himself, His Name, and His glorious nature, that in one word can be summed up as ‘Always’. He is always present, always unchanging, and always helpful, even today, in your life and mine, and will remain so in all the years to come. Therefore may, ‘Lord, I need your help’, be the humble cry of your heart, for, ‘Apart from Me, you can do nothing,’ are the Savior’s words, which also go on to establish the truth that, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. It is the power that is available to you, in the glory of the new covenant, that you now enjoy in the wake of the death and resurrection of Lord Jesus, on the Cross of Calvary.
The God who transforms you :
Moses was riddled with doubts within him, because of his past misjudgment of his own people, that had led him to flee into the desert to be a keeper of sheep for forty years, when he encountered God in the miracle of the ‘burning bush’. And there was the Lord God, asking him to go back to the same people, who had once rejected him, highlighting the wondrous transformation that lay ahead; the change that would take place in Moses, and in the people who had in the days gone by, did not want him as their leader. God’s word drives home the truth in no uncertain terms.
A question of rejection :
This Moses whom they rejected saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge?’, is the one God sent to be ruler and deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. [Acts 7:35] And the world has not changed much even today, when it comes to rejection, or refusing to accept someone, finding wrong reasons to discard someone as being not good enough, or signaling to them in subtle or flagrant ways that they are not needed, cutting them off from being part of the inner circle, be it in a family setting, or in the field of work, or even within a church, any group or fellowship.
The pain of rejection is very real, and goes deep within a person, sometimes to scar and damage him for the rest of his life. But it need not be so, is the truth of God’s word. And through it, as you turn to the God, your Father, who is ever helpful, it can be overcome, to see you reign in life once again, instead of remaining under its cruel grip on you, crushed and broken down in life, counting yourself worthless, and of no account.
Why does rejection happen ?
Very often in the world, in order to be accepted, you need to fit into a certain mold, in the nature of your appearance, birth, and upbringing. And in our nation, the parameter could be as trivial as the color of your skin, or go way deeper than, for it is a caste ridden society, that you and I live in. Also, culture and traditions that are not in line with God’s word, can sometimes find a woman sidelined and rejected, especially when negative things happen to her, things for which she was not in any way accountable. And it is where, the life of Leah, in the Bible, is a beacon of light to the one who is weak and downtrodden, who is going through, or has gone through the pangs of rejection, in order to rise above it, and to overcome it by turning to the One who never ever rejects anyone who turns to Him in trust and faith.
1. Moses – the rejection of leadership :
Leadership could be needed in any area in your life, in any field; at home in your family, in your work life, in your spiritual life, or in your finances, in the society around you, to name just a few. But, you also have a God who can make you rise up as a leader, whatever may be the size, and whatever may be nature of its requirement. Moses was transformed by God to overcome his earlier rejection, to be a leader over a huge contingent of people. They were the Israelites who had earlier questioned his leadership.
2. Leah – the rejection of unrequited love :
In the life of Leah, it was a rejection within her own family, resulting in a longing to be loved, deep in her heart. Rejection, can be public or private and personal, but the pain runs deep. There is always a longing for a loving attachment in the human heart, to be experienced within the bonds of a family, and especially with one’s spouse. And it is where, the life of Leah can touch a sympathetic chord within many a person, even today. For, even in a marriage relationship, that is meant by God to be mutually loving, one person can end up being rejected. And it could be no fault of their own, just as the reason for Leah being rejected, is a little unclear, and does not appear to be quite valid at all.
But, the Lord saw :
When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved…, records the word of God. [Genesis 29:31] The world maybe unaware, but God sees and knows the pain of rejection, in a person, whether it is a woman or a man. For, it could also be the husband who is unloved and rejected. God saw that king David’s wife, Michal, in disapproval of his joyful dancing, as the ark was carried into Jerusalem, despised him in her heart. [2 Samuel 6:16] And the world may turn away when it sees you being rejected, but when God sees, He will help you. He intervened in the life of Leah; and He will certainly do in your life, when you go through rejection.
So Leah conceived and bore a son, and called his name, ‘Reuben’, for she said, ‘The Lord has surely looked on my affliction; and now my husband will surely love me’. [Genesis 29:32] But, the change that she so eagerly desired, did not happen in her relationship with her husband. Not even when she conceived again, to bear a son, Levi, and hoped again that she would no longer be rejected.
The bitterness of rejection :
Being ignored, and not counted to be part of the inner circle of the family, happens even now, leading to needless fights and arguments within a home that is meant to be the family of God. The pain of rejection lies at the root of it all. And unless it is dealt with, it can lead to bitterness; and giving room to bitterness, can make life on earth, a foretaste of hell. And God’s word, in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, details in a simple fashion, what needs to be avoided in relationships within the family, that has been designed by God to be blessed and fruitful, and never a place where the devil can gain a foothold to enter in, and leave a trail of bitterness within. [Colossians 3:18-21]
The Christian home :
1. Being adaptable :
Wives are called to be subject to their husbands. [vs 18] And it is about adapting to a new environment, without strife or rebellion within you, and looking unto God, depending upon Him to manifest any change that may be needed, whether it is in you, or in the other person. And adapting could be necessary in many other situations too, when you need to deal with different groups of people. It could be in your workplace, or for a pastor, the challenge could be in adapting himself to preaching to different types of congregations, people who are eager to hear God’s word, but nevertheless are very different in their outward response to it.
2. Being gentle :
Husbands are called to love their wives, and not be harsh or embitter them. [vs 19] It is something that could easily happen when they are not affirmed, but are treated with an attitude of rejection. People in general, however strong they may appear outwardly, are in their inner being fragile and breakable, and need to be treated with gentleness, something that becomes possible because of the anointing of the Spirit upon you. A soft answer turns away wrath, is the wise guidance that comes to you from God in His word, in order to keep the Christian home, a place of rest giving peace and joy.
3. Being obedient :
Children are called to be obedient to their parents, for it is well pleasing in the sight of God. [vs 20] And realizing that it is not about them being perfect, but knowing that more often than not, being aware of the viciousness of the outside world, they have your best interests in heart, in what they bid you to do, will keep rebellion and bitterness from creeping in, into the hearts of the children.
4. Being inspiring & not irritating :
To not provoke or exasperate their children, lest they become discouraged, is the advice given to fathers, or anyone who is called to play a father’s role in leadership. [vs 21] It is why therefore, the pastor of a church, needs to be one who inspires and encourages, and understands the nature of a situation, the hidden pain in people, and deals with it in the Spirit’s enabling, so that the wounded may be healed and lifted up, in the Name of the Lord. You and I have a wonderful Savior, who in no way rejects the one who comes to Him. Therefore, there need not be any bitterness weighing you down because of life’s painful happenings.
Shifting focus – beginning to praise:
And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, ‘Now I will praise the Lord’. Therefore she called his name, Judah. [Genesis 29:35] It was how Leah, overcame her feeling of rejection. She looked at God, to praise Him, instead of looking to man for approval and love. Even in your life, in your time of lack of affirmation, you can indeed praise Him, as she did, for He will never ever disappoint you. Your reward comes from Him. You can wait upon Him to bring about a change in your situation, to lift you up from rejection and looming bitterness to fullness of joy in Him. Begin to praise God, therefore, for all His goodness and love towards you, entrusting it all into His mighty Hand, instead of lingering in your place of painful sadness. And then, even something much more challenging, will become possible in you, displaying your spiritual maturity.
Not counting it against them :
At my first defense no one stood to support me, everyone forsook me; may it not be charged against them. [2 Timothy 4:16] And these are the words of apostle Paul, who surely did not deserve such a betrayal, after a ministry where he served innumerable people, in opening to them the truth of the gospel, leading them to the path of eternal life. But such is the world, you and I live in. And the lesson to be learned and emulated, by you and I, are his words of spiritual maturity, uttered in divine forgiveness. The ramifications of it could be greatly profound, in the eyes of the world that is watching you. For, the apostle Stephen was able to speak the words of forgiveness too, as he was being stoned to death unjustly. And witnessing it all, consenting to his death was Saul, little knowing the transformation that awaited him!
Even in your life, you may have valid reasons to be upset and aggrieved with the people who have let you down, but getting angry and bitter is not going to solve the problem. Take the high road therefore, clothing yourselves with the attitude of Christ who carried away the sins of the whole world on the Cross of Calvary.
‘They do not know what they do’ :
Then Jesus said, ‘ Father, forgive them, for they do not know, what they do’. [Luke 23:34] You and I were willful sinners, just as the mob that shouted ‘Crucify Him’, on that day was. But we stand forgiven of our sins, by the sheer unadulterated grace and mercy of God, our Father, and Lord Jesus, our precious Savior. And therefore, having received forgiveness, in repentance and faith, as you express it, taking the higher path even as Paul did, Paul’s experience will be yours too.
But God is faithful :
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message may be fully preached through me… [2 Timothy 4:17] Instead of focusing on who is not with you, to help and support you, fix your eyes on who is with you, the One who has promised never to leave you or forsake you, the One who is more than enough for you. God Himself is standing with you!
The Father is with Me :
You can find your rest in the powerful and unchanging truth, to know and be able to declare, even as the Lord did, knowing fully well that His disciples were not going to stand with Him, in His trial, the painful Cross that awaited Him, ‘And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me’. [John 16:32] May this blessed assurance, bring peace and comfort within you, overcoming and dispelling all darkness of rejection that may be threatening to bring you down. And may you begin to praise Him, giving thanks with a grateful heart, for He is with you, and what God can do, only He can do.
The right to become a child of God :
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, but the world did not know Him. He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave them the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name. [John 1:10-12] When you put your trust in the Lord Jesus, to be your Savior and Redeemer, you become a child of God, to have a Heavenly Father who will never leave you alone. Therefore, entrust yourself to Him, even as the Lord did.
The Father who judges rightly :
He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth. Who when He was reviled, did not revile in return, when He suffered He did not threaten, but committed Himself to One who judges righteously. [1 Peter 2:22,23] People could have rejected you, wounded you, in your emotions, or hurt you in other ways, trying to crush and break you. But entrust it all to the Father. Let Him deal with it. Vengeance is His; vengeance that will include His vindication of you. The same Moses, who was rejected, by his own people, once again became their leader and deliverer, for God saw, and God took care of it. Start praising Him therefore, for He loves you, and is standing with you. You are not on your own. And because He is at your right hand, you will not be shaken.
And as Jacob, the patriarch said to Laban, his father in law, and also his employer, who tried his very best to outwit him cunningly of what was due to him, may the Lord Himself stand in your situation to deal rightly with you. For, you are accepted and forgiven to be a child of the true and Living God. Therefore, let there be no guilt or shame, as you approach His Royal Throne, but may there be joy and peace, as you release your worship unto Him, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.
And, the righteous and just triumph, that God brought about in Christ Jesus, was that, the stone that the builders rejected, became the chief cornerstone. And may the glorious truth become your experience in life, all by the grace that takes you from where you are to where God wants you to be, for you to be able to say jubilantly, this is the Lord’s doing; and it is marvelous in my eyes’.
You are accepted in Christ, by God, your Father.
In the Name of Christ Jesus Amen.
