Forty Days in the Psalmsනියැදිය

Rejection is one of the deepest pains we can feel as human beings. Nothing cuts you to the core like seeing someone you loved and trusted turn their back on you. In an age of cancel culture, this is becoming the norm. Long-time friendships are abandoned over trivial matters, and we’re left wondering why. Has this happened to you?

So how should Christ-followers respond when people wrong us? How did David respond? Verse 1 says, “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me"!

David is distraught; in fact, we could say he is seething! In this first verse, he asks God to fight against those fighting against him. Instead of asking God to help him beat them up, he puts the revenge and resolution in God’s Hands. This choice to give retribution to God changes the course of David’s life.

Imagine if David had made it his mission to seek out revenge. It might have gotten him killed or derailed his reign as king. And it would almost certainly have stoked his rage, anger, and sense of injustice. However, since the avenging is left in God’s Hands, seeking revenge doesn’t become a shackle that destroys him. There is freedom in knowing that ultimate justice is in God’s Hands.

In John 15, Jesus shows us He is also well acquainted with betrayal and rejection. Even after doing miracles for people, they rejected Him. Can you imagine this? Jesus heals a man of a terminal sickness, and that man ends up saying that he doesn’t believe in Jesus. This is hurt on a new level. And yet Jesus' response is entirely counter-cultural; instead of retaliation, Jesus chose to love His enemies, and as He hung on the Cross, He asked His Father to forgive them. Jesus loved His enemies. Jesus chose to forgive the cruel things people had done to Him.

Let’s make this personal; Jesus loved me when I was an enemy of God. He forgives me when I reject Him and turn to sin or doubt. My life is forever changed because Jesus chose Mercy over revenge. Today as I remember the way Jesus has loved me, I am more willing to love those who have hurt me.

How have you been handling the hurts in your life? Are you seeking justice man’s way or God’s Way? One will leave you bitter, and one will leave you free.

RESPOND IN PRAYER:

"Father…

- I don’t understand why I was treated the way I was but help me give this hurt to You.

- Help me love people the way You have loved me.

- Help me extend forgiveness to those who have caused me pain, so You receive Glory.

- Help me pursue the Path of Freedom instead of the bondage of bitterness and revenge.