FROM REJECTION TO REJOICING (PART 2)

        The word rejection in a simple way means to throw something away and abandon or discard. There are many kinds of rejection and they include;

ü  Family Rejection

ü  Tribal Rejection or Culture

ü  Social Rejection

ü  Educational Rejection and

ü  Religion Rejection

In our text the bible shows us that Jephthah was discriminated because of cultural reason, he was discriminated because of his background, “I have come to tell you that your background will never keep you at the back line of life”. His brother rejected him and threw him out of his father’s house and told him your mother was nothing but a prostitute and so you cannot share in our father’s property, the Elder’s of Gilead joined hand with other children and discarded him.

Hear me, “Men will always look for reasons not to accept you, but our God accepts us even without worse background”.

The greatest rejection in life is not the rejection from outsiders but the greatest rejection is when you reject yourself. When you reject yourself, others are bound to reject you. In psalms 118:22-24, “He said the stone the builders rejected had become the corner stone”, the Lord has this done, it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it and be glad.

Here, the rejected stone/man/person becomes an agent of celebration. In the whole land of Israel and made history that many has never made. “You will make history in your generation”.

Let me share with you the story of the rejected stone; many years ago the builders of the temple began the work of building the temple. It took many years to begin and finish the work; there were many difficulties, trials, tribulations and even opposition to the work. But then in the beginning of the work there was a particular stone the builders threw away because it did not fit into any place in the structure. They discarded it and threw it into the bush. In the course of the years it was forgotten and nobody remembered it. There in the bush, it was beaten by rain, trampled upon and hidden. When they were almost finishing the building of the temple, a little space remained at the top that needed to be filled but they could not find any stone.

They tried all the stones available but none fitted into the size of the hole, it was then somebody who was present many years ago when the temple was started remembered the discarded stone. They started looking for the stone. They went through trouble and difficulties in the bush but eventually they found it. “Lo and behold” when they tried it, it fitted exactly into the place at the top of the building. it was then somebody exclaimed (shouted) with a shout. “The Stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone”. This became a song in Israel. So no matter how discarded or rejected you are by men, one day they will look for you no matter how though life has been with you. You can still move from trials to testimony, from tears to triumph. Jephthah had been rejected but in the time of cries and need, the people of his village came to beg him. Those who rejected you, those who drive you away will come on their knees begging you this year. Amen.

God Bless You!!!!!!!