Hi, friends. Thanks for joining us for this word of encouragement from the Our Daily Bread

Devotional. Today's reading titled Refuge for the Rejected, was written by James Banks.

George Whitfield was one of the most gifted and effective preachers in history, leading thousands to faith in Jesus.

But his life wasn't without controversy.

His practice of preaching outdoors to accommodate large crowds was sometimes criticized by those who questioned his motives and felt he should speak only within the

four walls of a church building. Whitfield's epitaph sheds light on his response to others' harsh

words. I am content to wait till the day of judgment for the clearing up of my character,

and after I am dead, I desire no other epitaph than this.

Here lies George Whitfield. What sort of man he was, the great day will discover.

In the Old Testament, when David faced harsh criticism from others, he too entrusted himself to God. When Saul falsely accused David of leading a rebellion

and he was forced to hide from Saul's approaching army in a cave, David, in Psalm 57,

describe being in the midst of lions among men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are

sharp swords. But even in that difficult place, he turned to God and found comfort in him,

saying, for great is your love, reaching to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

When others misunderstand or reject us, God is our refuge.

May he be forever praised for his unfailing and merciful love.

Now let's hear the Word of the Lord.

This is today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading.

It's taken from Psalm 57.

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me.

For in you, I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings

until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God most high, to God who vindicates me. He sends from

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