Ephesians 1:1-14
Friday, 10 May 2024
“He made us accepted in the Beloved.” -Ephesians 1:6
The need to be accepted or to belong, is basic in human beings. The world today portrays a different scene— a lot of people displaced- running away from their land and their homes, fearing for their lives. Many experience instability, rejection and feeling forsaken, having lost a sense of belonging and community because of hatred, war and rivalry among their own ethnic groups. Where can one find security, comfort and belonging in these troubled times?
When Jesus lived on the earth, He came to the rescue of the downtrodden, the marginalized- those rejected by society and He brought comfort to them. He announced at the start of His ministry His mission in Luke 4:18-19. He demonstrated His love and compassion for people by healing the sick, brokenhearted, setting free those bound and oppressed by the devil so that they could enjoy liberty. Yet by the end of His ministry, He was betrayed, rejected by His own people- derided, spat upon, slapped and finally sent to death on the cruel cross.
It gives us great comfort to know that someone has gone through similar situations or suffering when we ourselves are in it. Isaiah 53:3 says of Jesus: “He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.” He was a human just like each of us and having gone through similar experiences, is able to empathize with us. (Hebrews 4:14,15).
Jesus went through the cruelty of the cross; He was rejected for the sake of each of us that we would be made acceptable to God through His death. 1 Peter 2:4 says: “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—” we ae called to come to Him and understand that He died in our place, in that we may receive His life!! When we accept His work on the cross on our behalf, God counts us accepted in the Beloved - His Son!
Are you feeling rejected, despised, looked down as “good-for-nothing” by others? It’s time for you to count your worth in God. Remember God rejected and let His Son die in your place so that you would be adopted as His sons (and daughters). Your worth is in what God thinks about you, not what others think of you. Look at the precious things God states in His Word that can lift your spirit today to know what He thinks of you:
· Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you,… -Isa.43:4
· See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; -Isaiah 49:16
· For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11
· “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33
· for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” -Heb.13:5
Dear friend, if you feel disheartened and rejected, having lost your sense of worth and wanting to give up on life, Cheer up! Jesus Christ loves you and values you. Accept Him in your life and experience His tender love, comfort and strength in you. Realize that your acceptance in God can withstand every other rejection you may face in life. Your worth is in Him!
Please listen to ‘God’s Love letter to you’ by clicking the link below.
PRAYER: My Father, it gives me great comfort to know I am accepted in You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Let me understand my worth in You rather than measure myself with the standards of this world. May I always feel accepted in You. In Jesus name, Amen.
Listen: 'GOD’s love letter to you'
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