For No Reason

by Terry Wane Benton

In Psalm 69:4, David was disturbed that people hated him “without a cause.” Why do people act this way? Why do people reject and hate others when there is no call for it? He could understand it from some people if he had hurt them in some way, but feeling snubbed and hated when you know you have done nothing to deserve the cold shoulder or the outright rejection is disturbing. We have all had this experience and wondered about the same thing. Why?

David’s psalm merges into the foresight into the plight of Jesus. In Psalms 69:20-21, we see a prophetic allusion to what happened to Jesus on the cross. "Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” This is David in the Spirit seeing the experiences of his prophesied Son, Jesus.

So, our takeaway is that not even a perfect man can escape this treatment of foolish humans. You are not experiencing this because you are unworthy of friendliness. You don’t need to waste your time wondering what you may have done wrong to draw such hatred for no reason. Jesus was perfect and still got that kind of treatment. He got it because people are ignorant and foolish. It is not your problem. David experienced it, and Jesus experienced it, and we all experience it because some people are just not thinking of their responsibility to love their neighbor as themselves, to treat others as they would like to be treated. Sin and hatred are just more deeply embedded in some people than others.

Your takeaway is to remember that such experiences are opportunities to reflect on what Jesus felt for us so long before we learned better. You don’t let it ruin your life and outlook. People are ignorant. Our go-to thought needs to be “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!” They are the kind of people who would give you vinegar to drink. You must offer a cup of cold water if the opportunity presents itself. You have a reason for being kind to others. They have no reason for their behavior, but let them be the ones to face regret someday, and let not your heart be troubled, as the future is going to be bright for you because you know your good reasons to be kind now! We will all reap good or bad according to what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9). They have no reason for their attitude choices. You have excellent reasons for yours! Remember that!