Numbers 14:3-4 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? … Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Rejection builds resilience.
Being rejected as a leader by the people we love and serve causes deep and festering wounds. When the sacrifices, tears and the selfless service is forgotten the pain of rejection can leave us dejected. God uses the pain of rejection to build resilience.
Moses was rejected about ten times in a span of one year by the people whom he delivered from slavery! The slaves whom he set-free after 430 years of bondage accused him. Moses not only saved the ½ million slaves trapped in the tyranny of the Pharaoh but he also liberated the future generation. However, at every challenge the ungrateful hoard rebelled and picked up stones to kill Moses. At the threshold of victory, on the banks of the Jordan, as Moses was preparing for the great invasion and possession of the Promised Land, the people wanted to dump him, choose another leader and go back to their life of slavery.
Being rejected once in a span of 10 years can sink us into depression but Moses was rejected 10 times in a span of one year! He was angry, frustrated and discombobulated; he did not follow the instructions of the Lord when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it. Yet, he did not resign from his God-given appointment. Moses was semi-retired after the 1st year of pastoring the redeemed slaves. They were stuck on the other side of the Promised Land for about 39 years. There was no more leading, planning or moving. As Moses persisted in pastoring the complaining congregation, the Lord continued to use Moses and found him worthy to visit Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration, about 1435 years later, and prepare Jesus to redeem the world (Matthew 17:1-13).
Resilience through rejection:
- Prioritize: Rejection by people teaches us to prioritize the Lord above the agenda of the people.
- Please: Never try to please people – they never will be.
- Praise: Praise from man is a trap – don’t fall into it.
Raise up stronger when rejected.
Prayer: Father God, build me up when rejection tries to crush me. Amen.
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