Day 7 of 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting countdown to Easter 2019. Declined but Not Rejected. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them (Hebrews 6:10).” One day I was in the shopping line behind an elderly lady at Publix. As the cashier finished ringing up the grocery, the elderly lady handed the cashier her credit/debit card to pay for the transaction. After several attempts to execute the transaction, the card was repeatedly declined. The look of rejection and shame covered the woman’s face.
The elderly lady was befuddled as she rambled through her purse looking for money that she did not have. She was certain the money was in her account, but the card was declined time after time. Have you ever been in that situation where your card was declined?
As I witness the scenario unfold, I was impressed by the Holy Spirit to pay for the elderly woman’s grocery. I kindly intervened and told the elderly woman that I would pay for her grocery. She was astonished over my gesture. This elderly lady’s countenance was lifted. Her gratitude was like a beautiful song on a sunny day. I could not stand by and see this elderly lady leave without her grocery. Obviously, she needed the grocery, as well as, some financial assistance.
Now, this message is not to make myself look special but to glorify God. We need to understand that God does bless us when we extend a helping hand to his people.
Helping others is serving others the way Jesus wants us to.
Helping the elderly lady relieved her of the stress of embarrassment she was feeling while standing there helpless.
God opened this avenue for me to use my gifts to benefit someone else.
God used the moment to bring joy to someone else.
God used this opportunity to teach humility. If we haven’t already, at some point in our lives we will need someone to give us a helping hand. When we take our focus off ourselves, and help fulfill someone’s purpose, our God is a righteous and just God. He does not forget our good works. He sees the love that we share with others, especially strangers. God sees us exuding the glorious presence of His son, Jesus Christ. That, He does not forget. When our day of need comes, and it will, God will remember us and bless us as we have been a blessing to others.
We need to understand that in life, we may feel as though our prayers have been declined. The prayer transaction did not go through. You have prayed for many things, but you have not received an answer. You’re standing in line embarrassed because you prayed for the house and you didn’t get it. You’ve prayed for the promotion, but you didn’t get it. You’ve prayed for your children to straighten up and fly right, but they’re still on the tarmac. You’ve prayed for peace in your home, peace among your family, but everyone is still at odds. Right now, you’re looking pretty embarrassed. Others are watching as you stand aligned with Almighty God, but ain’t nothing happening.
Every prayer you’ve prayed has been declined. But, hold on. You serve a God that does not forget your work and the love that you have shown him. You’ve praised him during the good times and the bad times. He knows it seems like every transaction you’ve tried to make in life has been declined. But God has a plan, a future, and a hope for you. You may have been declined but you are not rejected. Your heavenly Father, has a contingency plan for you. God has a backup plan for you. A decline is an opportunity for God to cut the line, step up, and take care of your transactions. You may have been declined but you are not rejected. God says, “I got you”!
~inspiring hope & seasoning faith, Dr. Regina M. Daigre