LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
 
Tuesday 31st March 2026

DESPISED AND REJECTED

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53
 
He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him._ Isaiah 53:3
 
Despised and rejected. Those are treatments that we do not accept from others. All human beings desire to be treated with respect. Our world, being so conscious of protecting the dignity of human life has so many laws which guarantee respectful treatment for even the worst offenders.
 
In His moments of suffering, our Lord Jesus had all dignity and respect denied Him. He was treated with such contempt as we would treat a filthy rag in our homes. His torturers beat Him in the most sadistic way and used all imaginable forms of punishment in their attempt to reduce Him to nothingness.
 
A man of sorrows acquainted with grief. Jesus knows the worst of human pain and suffering. He knows the mischief that human beings can visit on other human beings. Because He was brought to the lowest level of contempt and disrespect, He has the capacity to feel all human suffering.
 
Not only can He feel our suffering, but He also has the power to redeem us from our pains and suffering. He is a suffering Lord who conquered death and rose again to lift those who are weighed down by the negatives of our world.
 
When you feel despised and rejected in life, do not despair and wallow in self-pity. You have a Saviour who has been where you are and sat where you sit. In your darkest hour, you can lift your eyes to Him and allow His power to raise you from the pits of human mistreatment into a new life of dignity and purpose.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, deliver me from all sorrows and griefs. Help me to live victoriously as your child. In Jesus’ name, Amen.