Encouragement for Today

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief
cornerstone. Psalms 118:22

At times in our lives we all deal with rejection. Rejection can stem
from many things, personality, looks, race, financial status, etc. The rejection
mentioned in this verse was man's rejection of Christ. If we are the chosen of
God rejection comes with the territory. Paul's goal was to know Him and the
power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.(Philippians
3:10) If we know Him we will know the fellowship of His sufferings. Part of that
suffering is the rejection of men and it may even come from those who are close
to us. Knowing this does not necessarily remove the pain, but it helps us
understand that it is part of the process of being conformed to His image.
I began praying Ph.3:10 over myself years ago. After being extremely
hurt by some people, I questioned the Lord as to what was going on. This is what
I believe God said to me (you can test it with your own spirit), that this was
an answer to my prayer, that I could not know the power of the resurrection
without knowing the fellowship of His sufferings. I am not saying God caused
this thing to happen, but our God who is able to bring redemptive purpose out of
everything that comes into our lives is redeeming it now even as I write. We
cannot know the power of the resurrection except something first dies.
Rejections will come, but remember you are accepted in the beloved, a
son of the most high God, a choice vessel of the Lord. He came unto His own and
His own received Him not. He experienced rejection and so will we, but that
which has been rejected by the world is chosen of God.

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but
chosen by God and precious, you also as living stones, are being built up a
spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable
to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4,5