It's good to think more deeply about the mercies of God in times of crisis. To help guide us in this effort, we'll consider Paul David Tripp's collection of meditations from Psalm 27 called "A Shelter in the Time of Storm." You can get your own copy on Amazon here.

My father and my mother have forskaen me,
but the LORD will take me in.

Psalm 27:10

Rejection is one of the most difficult experiences of human existence. Many of the other things that happen to us we can attribute to circumstances, things outside of our control, or things having to do with the other person. Rejection is about us - it's deeply personal. We are the one who was rejected.

Jesus went before us in all things (except sin), including rejection. He suffered for us but he also suffered before us - showing us how we could persevere even in the midst of it. Rejection does hurt deeply. But whenever we think that rejection is something we just can't handle, we'd do well to re-read this poem.

Unthinkable
irrational
impossible to conceive.
The Trinity
torn asunder.
The Son
wrenched from his Father.
Salvation realized.
I am
the liar.
I am
the thief.
I am
the gossip.
I am
the rebel.
I have wanted
my own way
in
my own time
at
my appointed place.
I have rebelled
against your law
and I have
set up my own.
I deny
your kingship
while building
a kingdom of my own.
I think
my wisdom
is wiser than you.
I think
my plan
is better than yours.
I crave
the sovereignty
that only you should have.
But you did
the inconceivable
you accomplished
the undoable.
You stood
in my place
and you satisfied
God's wrath.
But
in the process,
the Three in One
was torn in two.
In the process,
The Father
did the most painful thing
that has ever been done.
He turned his back
on You.
You withstood
this pain
so that I would never have to.
You took my
rejection
so that I would only ever have
acceptance.
So, I can
rest assured,
I can
live in hope,
I can
enjoy true peace,
Because I know
that you are always with me
For long ago
on the cross
your rejection
was for me
the final rejection of rejection.

Questions to Consider

The questions are Tripp's. I included my answers in case they're helpful to read.

1. In what ways would your practical, daily living change if you lived with a deep and lively sense of appreciation for the horror of the rejection Jesus faced for you?

- I suspect I'd be bolder for his sake. Am I really unwilling to face a little social rejection for the sake of his name?

2. Where is God calling you to offer to others the same love and grace that you have been given?

- With my children. Even small rejections leave a lasting mark on them. I need to model the acceptance of Christ while teaching them to rest in his acceptance of them (rather than in my acceptance of them!).