| Daughters of Promise Devotional |
A PROPHET WITHOUT HONOR
When the two days were over, he went from that place to Galilee (for Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in the prophet's own country). John 4:43-44
Some things in our lives can not be changed. Whoever has grown up to achieve some degree of notoriety will not be properly valued in the place of his birth. The people there think of him as a boy, as someone with whom they played, taught in school, and knew in adolescence. To them, he will always appear as they once knew him.
Joseph, when he started to tell of his dreams, was hated by his brothers. David was also spurned by a brother. Jeremiah was ridiculed by the people in of his own village of Anathoth. Paul's fellow Jews, his own countrymen, belittled him. Jesus personally experienced the rejection of his own hometown, Nazareth. His message could not be embraced there because they refused to see him as someone other than themselves. Because He understood the obstacles associated with this phenomenon, he went elsewhere to preach.
Each of us who has deep roots in the communities of our upbringing need to get beyond the pain of their belittlement. Envy, insecurity, and jealousy plague the human heart when we perceive someone has done better than we have. Our sense of significance is easily threatened. Yet, many try to prove themselves to long time friends and family, eaten alive by the mis-perceptions.
We must not wallow in hometown rejections. Following Jesus' lead, we take our message elsewhere, to places and people where no bias exists.
You have already walked every road we face, Jesus. Thank you for taking us places where our gifts can be used for Your glory. Give us grace to forgive when we are misunderstood. Amen
Christine Wyrtzen
Daughters of Promise
www.daughtersofpromise.org
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Do you live in the Seattle area? We are seeking someone to host a Prayer Mapping Training Event in their home for twelve women's leaders in the Seattle area.
If after prayer, you are interested, write to: Elizabethguthrie@bellsouth.net
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