Redeeming Love: A 5-Day Devotional by Francine RiversSample

The Deepest Truth About You

Rejection is a heavy burden for any person—child or adult—to bear. Yet we all carry it. Whether this burden came from a parent or a friend, a teacher or a peer, we have all experienced moments when others have weighed us in the balance and let us know, by their demeaning words, scornful looks, or excluding actions, that they have found us insufficient. 

Over time, our brains can turn “I don’t love you” into “No one will ever love you.” “You’re not good at this” can become “You’re just not good enough.” 

David’s psalm speaks truth over these lies: 

You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made… 

And in Your book were all written

The days that were ordained for me,

When as yet there was not one of them. 

(from Psalm 139:13–16) 

These words speak powerfully of how God created us, fashioning us deliberately. Do you wonder if it’s a mistake that you’re alive? God formed your inmost being and has ordained your days. Do you question your own worth? You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Do you feel you are hopelessly flawed? God wove you together. Do you feel unknown and alone? God sees you. 

The deepest truth about us is that we are created by God. We are loved. We are known. Even beyond that, God delights in us! The way Zephaniah 3:17 portrays God is almost startling: 

The Lord your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior. 

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears. 

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

If the One who created us delights and rejoices in us, we can know that we’re never unwanted or worthless, no matter what anyone else says. If you’re struggling with feeling rejected, let others’ harsh words turn you toward the only One whose acceptance matters. Let the truth of His words sink deep into your heart and permeate all aspects of who you are. You are valuable. You are wanted. You are loved. 

Meditate on Psalm 139:13–16, and consider what the verses tell you about how you were deliberately created. What messages of rejection in your mind can this replace?