But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. You grumbled in your tents and said, “The Lord hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us.
Deuteronomy 1:26-27 NIV
Have you ever faced a situation so overwhelming that it made you wonder whether God hates you? Have you ever questioned whether God is truly interested in your well-being, or feared that He saved you only to leave you stranded in hardship? These are not unusual thoughts, especially during moments of deep distress. However, God doesn’t hate you. That belief is a lie rooted not in His nature but in fear, rebellion, and misunderstanding.
This was precisely the belief of the Israelites in today’s verse. God had miraculously delivered them from Egypt after hearing their cries for help. He led them with signs and wonders, proving His love and commitment. Yet, upon encountering the challenges of the wilderness and facing the Amorites, they concluded that it was because God hated them that He brought them out of Egypt — to destroy them.
Such a response reveals a sobering reality: it’s entirely possible to walk closely with God and still, in the face of one painful situation, begin to believe that He is against you. You may even feel abandoned, mistreated, or judged by God. However, this mindset stems not from God’s nature, but from a heart clouded by rebellion and fear. We must be reminded again and again: God doesn’t hate you. His actions are driven by love, not cruelty.
We must come to a firm understanding — God is a loving Father. His love is steadfast and enduring. It is not in His nature to hate. When we allow negative experiences to shape our view of God, we fall into deception. The enemy capitalises on moments of weakness, whispering lies to convince us that the Lord’s intentions are cruel or unjust.
But let us ask ourselves sincerely: Did God bring the Israelites out of slavery because He hated them? Did He rescue them just to abandon or destroy them? Absolutely not. Their accusation was born from the condition of their hearts — hearts prone to grumbling, rebellion, and unbelief. In reality, it was not God’s actions that changed, but their perception of Him, distorted by disobedience.
Rebellion twists our thinking. It clouds our view of God. We begin to grumble internally, and that grumbling gives birth to doubt. Doubt then leads to dishonesty — not necessarily with others, but with ourselves and with God. Before long, we start projecting our distorted views onto Him, believing He behaves like we do when we rebel.
But God is not a man. He does not lie. He does not switch from love to hatred. Our rebellion makes us the problem, not Him. When rebellion settles in our hearts, our perception of life and of God becomes jaded. Our spiritual lens becomes faulty, causing us to view God not as He is, but as our broken hearts interpret Him.
If you find yourself in this place today, feeling as though God has left you or is punishing you, take a step back and return to Him. Pour out your heart before Him in prayer. Express your fears, your confusion, your sorrow. Approach Him as a child speaks to a loving father — with honesty and expectation.
Even in the pain, the sickness, the confusion, the Lord is with you. His name is Emmanuel — God with us. That is why Jesus came — to dwell with us, to walk with us, to be present in every moment, even the darkest ones. If you have received Christ as Lord and Saviour, then He lives within you. You are never alone.
There is nothing you are facing that could ever mean God hates you. Hatred does not exist in His nature. He is not treating you with disdain, even if your feelings suggest otherwise. The real issue lies within — a heart that has allowed rebellion to fester.
Living It Out
So, what should you do? Go back to Him. In prayer, in repentance, in humility. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Allow Him to shift your focus, to remove the veil of rebellion, and to renew your mind. Let Him break through the fog of hurt, fear, doubt, and disappointment. Let go of the rebellion. Surrender the pain. Trust Him afresh to take care of you — because God doesn’t hate you, and He never has.