Carol J German

If only you could see the scope of God’s caring hand upon you moment-by-moment each day, you would live quite differently. Do you realize, I mean, really comprehend that God is with you all the time? There is never a moment when He is not walking with you, helping you to navigate in your day, fighting the evil that is against you, and transforming you.

While you may be quick to answer, “Yes, I realize,” be careful. Living in enemy territory with a sinful flesh, one can mimic a false faith. Satan tripped up Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 with deception and lies, and he has not stopped since. Every generation of people has been duped by Satan. Even in Old Testament days, sin was rampant. People rejected God and focused on their own lives instead. This is true today.

During a time where God was preparing Judah and Israel for some tough times, He gave the prophet Isaiah some encouragement to share with others. God’s caring hand was evident as He spoke through His prophet. You see this in Isaiah 7:10-8:22.

King Ahaz was the king of Judah. God told Isaiah to have Ahaz ask God for a sign of confirmation about an impending invasion that was prophesied. God wanted to prepare the king’s heart, to strengthen his faith. The king refused to test God in that way. Maybe he didn’t want to believe what Isaiah was telling him, maybe he doubted God or struggled with trusting God. Anyway, God didn’t give up. In verses 7:14-16, Isaiah speaks of Jesus coming to earth, the expected Messiah; Immanuel, God is with us. What a beautiful picture as you read how God’s caring hand was upon the king.

While Isaiah and Ahaz were before Jesus’ time, God’s caring hand was evident through a virgin woman giving birth to a son. Jesus was already changing lives even before He became human.

It must have been hard for Old Testament believers to comprehend God’s Word. So, God gave Isaiah a name that he was to write on a large sign in front of two witnesses. This name was for Isaiah’s son who wasn’t born yet. His wife hadn’t even conceived him yet. God’s caring hand was again evident, helping wayward humans to believe Him.

God wants every believer to listen to Him and believe.

God’s caring hand is tender towards those who follow Him. God tells Isaiah, “My care for the people of Judah is like the gently flowing waters of Shiloah.”^8:6 Unfortunately, if you keep reading, people rejected what God was doing. Every generation has this same plight. Most people reject God’s caring hand. Everyone needs to become aware of any “false faith” traits and become true believers.

In Isaiah 8:11-22, God shows Isaiah how to live properly so the enemy can’t lie and deceive you with a false faith. Notice how Isaiah starts out, “The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else.”¹¹ You must pay attention and live with discernment as you follow the Holy Spirit.

First, don’t act like those who reject God. There are those who can pass the faith test on the outside but they are not trusting God on the inside. Second, make God holy in your life. He is the One you fear, not anything in this world. Third, God will keep you safe. He is your protector; read Psalm 23 and 91. Four, preserve the teachings of God. Listen, believe and follow whole-heartedly. Five, wait for the Lord. He will care for you in such a way that it is fine-tuned to His glorious will. Six, hope in God. He is truly all you have and can depend on. His faithfulness is 100%.

Finally, ask God for guidance. While it’s easy to seek counsel from other sources, God is the source of all things. He is the Creator, you know. Do not seek guidance from this world, it is dead. Seek from those who are spiritually alive in Jesus Christ after you prayed to God. Look to God’s Word and glean from its teachings. Follow what it says as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Be careful to not contradict His word. It is easy, too easy, to wander away and become weary and hungry. You will begin to curse God’s caring hand that is upon you. Isaiah ends with a somber reality, “They will be thrown out into the darkness.”²²

Today and every day, call on the name of the Lord and receive God’s caring hand upon you. He loves you more than _____ (put your most favorite thing in the space). He loves you abundantly more and He deeply desires for you to know Him.