God Is Present, Even In Rebellion

The status of human relationships determines the level of involvement or presence between given individuals or groups. As humans, we typically do not increase our time with and proximity to those with whom we are upset. We naturally withdraw from those who’ve hurt us, with whom we have disagreements, or those we cannot trust. But God’s nature is not human nature. Even in the midst of rebellion, God still reveals himself.

The writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 95:7-11, which in part, says, “where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years” (Hebrews 3:9). In verse 17 of the same chapter, the writer asks the rhetorical question, “And with whom was he provoked (angered, JS) for forty years?” The writer’s point in the passage is to show the consequence of disobedience to God. But notice the combination of these two verses from Hebrews 3. Even though God was angry with His people because of their hard-heartedness, he continued to show them his works. Despite their grumbling, complaining, and lack of gratitude, God still provided them with daily guidance, nourishment, and protection.

In the book of Jonah, God is angry at Nineveh and with Jonah for running. But he reveals himself through the horrific storm at sea and through the belly of a giant fish. Romans 1:18-32 reminds us that though Gentiles had rejected God for centuries, he still revealed himself through nature and other invisible attributes. The soldiers of one of the most ruthless and godless empires in world history executed an innocent man brought to them by the scattered Jews they had conquered. At the close of his crucifixion, a Roman centurion proclaimed, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). On his darkest day, God revealed himself to man.

Prior to the 7.0 earthquake that ravaged the Port-au-Prince area of Haiti, it had the reputation of being a corrupt political and social society filled with rampant voodooists. (Though that’s not the reason the earthquake happened. “For he sends rain on the just and on the unjust” [Matt. 5:45].) In the wake of the disaster, God’s people are revealing his love.

Roberta Edwards, who runs the Son Light Orphanage and Nutrition Center overseen by the Estes Church of Christ (Henderson, TN), arrived from out of town a few days following the earthquake and asked, “How much food do we have?”

“About a month’s worth,” she was told.

“Alright,” she said, “put aside food for two days, and let’s start giving the rest away to the neighbors.”

God always finds a way.

“But the Lord is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

But that’s not the end of Roberta’s story. The following day, a friend from the Dominican Republic called and said he’d be there with 4,000 pounds of food and supplies (Luke 6:38).

This story comes courtesy of Justin Gerhardt, the Outreach Minister for the Henderson Church of Christ. His blog can be accessed at. Contact the Estes Church of Christ in Henderson, TN for more information about helping Haiti.

One thought on “God Is Present, Even In Rebellion”

  1. Joey, Thanks for posting this. Especially for pointing out God is not punishing Haiti, but using His providence to provide for them after disaster.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.