Trusting God’s Timing
Recently, my wife, Kelle, and I had an experience that reminded me just how unaware we can be of what’s happening behind the scenes. We were on a Southwest flight, coming in for a landing, when suddenly, the plane pulled up sharply. We had no idea why. I turned to Kelle and said, “I don’t know what that was, but I’m sure glad the pilot pulled up!” It wasn’t until five hours later that we learned we had narrowly avoided a collision with another plane on the runway.
At that very moment, a friend had texted Kelle, “I just prayed for you.” She had no idea what was happening, yet God prompted her to pray. Meanwhile, Kelle and I were focused on whether we had enough time to grab Garrett’s Popcorn before our next flight, completely unaware of how God had just protected us.
It was a reminder that life operates on two levels: the physical world, where we go about our daily routines, and the spiritual reality, where God is working in ways we don’t always see.
This same theme runs throughout Scripture, especially in the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah: A Prophet Who Foretold a Hidden King
Isaiah lived in a time of turmoil, speaking to kings who faced real threats. In Isaiah 7, King Ahaz of Judah was terrified because two enemy nations had joined forces against him. But Isaiah told him, “It will not happen. It will not take place.”Then he gave a sign:
"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
At that time, Isaiah’s wife gave birth to a son—a sign that God was with them. But what Isaiah may not have realized was that his prophecy had a greater meaning. More than 700 years later, Matthew’s Gospel reveals that this prophecy was ultimately about Jesus, the true Immanuel—God with us.
Isaiah 9 carries another prophecy:
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned." (Isaiah 9:2)
At first, it seemed like Isaiah was speaking about Israel’s restoration, but Matthew later connects this prophecy directly to Jesus, who grew up and ministered in Galilee—precisely where Isaiah had predicted.
Isaiah likely didn’t fully grasp how his words pointed to Jesus. He was focused on the immediate crisis. Meanwhile, God was revealing his ultimate plan, hiding the coming of the Messiah in plain sight.
God’s Work Beyond What We See
Isaiah’s prophecies remind us that history operates on two levels:
The physical world—the realm of kings, wars, and events we can see.
The spiritual reality—where God is guiding, protecting, and fulfilling his purposes.
And the same is true today.
Just like Isaiah spoke to kings, we are called to engage with the world around us. We can’t retreat from culture or disengage from people in positions of influence. We are meant to be salt and light—present and active.
Isaiah wasn’t afraid to speak truth, even when it was uncomfortable. He encouraged kings to trust God, warned them when they strayed, and prayed on their behalf. His role reminds me that if we want to influence the world, we have to engage with it.
Maybe you aren’t called to speak to kings, but think about where you do have influence:
A teacher or coach who needs encouragement.
A leader in your workplace or school who needs prayer.
A person in authority who needs truth spoken with grace.
Leaders carry heavy burdens. Sometimes, a simple word of encouragement or a reminder that someone is praying for them can make a profound impact.
Seeing God in Everyday Life
At the end of the day, this is the challenge for all of us: to recognize that God is always working—even when we don’t see it.
Isaiah’s prophecies remind us that Jesus is the hidden king behind the scenes, orchestrating history and guiding his people. And he is still at work today.
Like an iceberg, what we see on the surface is only a fraction of reality. Below the surface, God is guiding, protecting, and weaving our lives into his greater plan.
So here’s the challenge: slow down and pay attention.
Pray – Ask God to open your eyes to his presence in your everyday life.
Look for hidden blessings – What has God done that you might have overlooked?
Encourage someone in authority – A leader, teacher, or boss who could use support.
Trust God with the unseen – Even when you don’t understand, believe that he is working.
As we do this, we will begin to see more of his hand, his goodness, and his guidance in our lives.
Message recap adapted from March 9, 2025, message by Minister Mark Ashton
