Rejection can be crippling. It can leave us depressed, ashamed, and abandoned. It can hinder us from obtaining all of the wonderful things God has for us and can leave us falling short of the marvelous plans he has laid out for our lives. However, when rejection is met with a desperate and unashamed faith, it has no choice but to step aside and allow miracles to take place in our lives and the lives of those around us.
There is a story in the Bible that teaches us about perseverance in the face of rejection. It’s the story of a Gentile Mother’s Faith, found in Matthew 15:21-28.
The scripture says, “When Jesus left there, He withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is cruelly tormented by a demon.” Yet He did not say a word to her. So His disciples approached Him and urged Him, “Send her away because she cries out after us.” He replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came, knelt before Him, and said, “Lord, help me! ” He answered, “It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table! ” Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was cured.”
This momma had four opportunities to allow a sense of rejection to rob her from her daughter’s miracle, but she presses on through each one of them:
1. The woman in this scripture is labeled as a Canaanite, the most notorious pagan enemy of Israel. She lives in the port cities of Tyre and Sidon, the same cities that were publicly declared evil in Isaiah 23 and Ezekiel 28. First-century Jesus viewed them as wicked and deserving of divine wrath.
2. Jesus ignores her pleas. The scripture says he did not even say a word to her. Not only is Jesus ignoring her, but his disciples are begging him “Send her away!”
3. Jesus turns around and says straight to her face, “I didn’t come here for you.”
4. He tells her that she is not his priority. In verse 26, he likens her to a house dog, who sleeps on his master’s lap (HCS footnote). She is loved, but she is not as important as the master’s children.
Rejection can be paralyzing, and it has the power to drive you into the deepest place of depression. But a desperate and genuine faith overcomes rejection. As our faith continues to cry out to God for mercy, it will always be answered. Today, I am able to cry out to God like this because I know that Jesus loves me. It doesn’t matter what tone rejection is speaking to me, because I know the Lord will hear my cry.
Psalms 51:17-16 says, “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; broken and heart, O God, You will not despise.”
Will you pray with me today?
Holy Spirit, you know the discouragement I face. You know the rejection that has brought it about. You know of my personal circumstances. They are beyond me. I cannot will myself out of this. I recognize and know this full well. So with every bit of faith left in me I cry out to you today, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Grant me favor Lord. According to your loving kindness, be it unto me as it was to this Gentile mother. Amen!
