Remove the Mask.
God Already Sees. In Him, You Are Free.
Isaiah 7 plunges us into a moment of divine calling and human failing in the life of Isaiah. Judah is amid a national crisis, led by a mask-wearing king, Ahaz. A descendant of David, Ahaz now rules over Judah, but danger lurks—a deadly lion prowling just feet away in the tall grass. This "lion" is the alliance of Ephraim and Syria, poised to attack and depose him (Isaiah 7:1-2).
Ahaz and the people of Judah are paralyzed with fear, and their terror is vividly described: They tremble “as trees of the forest before the wind” (7:2). The moment is ripe for God’s intervention, and He steps in through Isaiah.
But today, I want to focus not only on the political and prophetic elements of the story but on the mask Ahaz wore—and how modern Christians also hide behind masks when the pressures of life bear down.
Inspired Verse: “Ahaz responds to God’s invitation to ask for a sign by saying, "I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test" (Isaiah 7:12).
On the surface, Ahaz’s response may seem pious, as it echoes the teaching in Deuteronomy 6:16, which warns against testing God. However, his refusal reveals deeper issues of disobedience, fear, and misplaced trust. Here’s why Ahaz didn’t do what God asked:
Relying on Human Solutions Over God's Promises
Like Ahaz, we may claim faith in God but place our trust in worldly systems—money, relationships, careers, or governments—to solve our problems. For example:
Seeking security in savings accounts instead of trusting God to provide.
Turning to people for approval or validation instead of seeking God's guidance.
Hiding Behind Religious Piety
We may use religious-sounding language or actions to mask a lack of genuine trust in God. For instance:
Saying, "I'll pray about it" but avoiding obedience to what God has already called us to do.
Avoiding risk or stepping out in faith under the guise of "waiting on God," when fear or doubt is the real reason.
Fear of Surrender
Like Ahaz avoided asking for a sign because he didn’t want to surrender control, we can resist giving God full control of certain areas of our lives (finances, relationships, future plans) while claiming to trust Him.
Busyness as a Disguise
Overcommitting to religious activities can mask a deeper issue of avoiding intimacy with God.
We serve, volunteer, or attend church to appear faithful, but we neglect prayer, Bible study, and personal relationship with God.
I lead a group of volunteers at a mega church and could sense in the room this very truth. My challenge to them was to stop serving if serving is taking place of your time with God and, instead, dwell with God daily. After all, without Christ you can do nothing (John 15:5).
Not Fully Believing God's Promises
Just as Ahaz doubted God’s ability to deliver Judah, we sometimes mask unbelief by avoiding situations that require us to depend on God’s promises, such as:
Avoiding sharing the gospel because we doubt God’s power to work in someone’s life.
Not taking bold steps in faith because we don’t truly trust God’s provision.
Blaming External Circumstances
Instead of taking responsibility for our spiritual struggles, we might blame our busyness, hardships, or the world’s brokenness, using these as excuses for our lack of faith or obedience.
Never Finished Challenge - How to Remove the Mask:
Examine Your Heart: Regularly ask, Am I truly trusting God, or am I relying on something else?
Be Honest with God: Share your fears, doubts, and struggles openly in prayer. God is faithful to strengthen us when we admit our weakness.
Act in Faith: Step out even when it's uncomfortable. Faith grows through obedience.
Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with others who will challenge you to live authentically and align your life with God’s word.
For your pocket: Remove the mask. God Already Sees. In Him, You Are Free.
What does today say about God?
What I love about this story is how God spoke to King Ahaz and told him to ask for a sign. In my walk with Him, God has always provided a way out—whether from temptation, sin, or the wrong direction. He is not a God who wants me to hide who I am. Instead, He desires to bring out the best in me—to bring Jesus out of me. He is a good, good Father. Thank you, Jesus.