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Reproach
“I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbors” (Psalm 31:11).
Reproach is an expression of disapproval and ridicule. If we truly live for the Lord and reflect Christ in our lives we can expect reproach from the unbelieving world. The Lord said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:18-19).
But there is another source of reproach that is even harder to take, and that is reproach from those who are closest to us. David noted this in the second part of the above verse. Maybe you have close family who do not appreciate the fact that you are saved or who do not understand some of your exercises in following the Lord. Remember, the Lord felt reproach from those He came to bless and from those who were closest to Him during His time here on earth. He could say, “The reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon Me … . Reproach hath broken My heart” (Psalm 69:9, 20).
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