July 06, 2025
Daily Devotion:
"Responding to Rejection and Remaining Wise"
Matthew 10:14-16
New Living Translation
14 If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. 15 I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.
One of the greatest hindrances to joy is holding on to the wrong things for too long. Whether it's a toxic friendship, a romantic interest that never worked out, or the frostedlipstick you've been wearing since 1982, there comes a point in time when you just need to let go.
When Jesus sent His followers out into the world to spread the gospel, He knew they would encounter run welcoming towns and obstinate people. Were they instructed to continue clinging to criticism and hanging out where they weren't wanted? No. “Shake the dust off your feet,” was Jesus' instruction to them. There are things worth fightingfor, so please don't misunderstand. But if we are refusing to let go or move on from things that are bad for us, we will never live with any sort of joy. If we continually look to the past, we'll miss out on the joy in the present. What is standing between us and the joy in the Lord we are promised? Let's shake the dust off together.
