Invisible But Working
In this encouraging devotion, Your Daily Cup writer Dianna Hobbs assures you that the Lord is doing amazing things behind the scenes—even if you don’t see it yet.
Credit: Getty/Larry Washburn
My youngest daughter, Kaiah, a theater major, immersed herself in a practicum last semester, gaining a backstage glimpse into the world of professional theater. As a member of the deck crew, she mastered the art of invisibility, ensuring props seamlessly appeared on stage in perfect synchrony with the performance.
The deck crew, responsible for managing the physical aspects of the show, takes cues from the music and lighting to know when to act. When certain melodies play or the stage falls dark, it signals the crew that it is time to move set pieces and deliver props, all while remaining unseen by the audience.
A few months back, before semester’s end, my husband Kenya and I were thrilled to attend the performance of “9 to 5: The Musical,” a production Kaiah had worked hard on. It’s based on the 1980 film of the same name, with music and lyrics by country legend Dolly Parton.
Before the performance, Kaiah explained that we wouldn’t see her on stage. Her role wasn’t to sing, dance, or act but to move props and ensure the stage performers had exactly what they needed at the precise moment they required it.
Invisible But Impactful
I distinctly remember a scene where a lead character was singing, and a trophy and a rose appeared in their hand. It felt almost magical. Only after the final curtain call did Kaiah reveal she had been the one standing in the wings, delivering the props at the perfect moment, contributing to the magic that had unfolded before our eyes.
“Really?” Kenya and I said, impressed. “We had no idea! We didn’t see your hand at all.” That was a high compliment since her job during the top-notch production was to remain invisible yet impactful.
We’re both very proud of her.
As I reflected on Kaiah's invisible hand at work, producing the desired result on stage, I couldn't help but draw parallels to the hand of God. In Scripture, God's hand is a symbol of His sovereign power, strength, and control. Though often unseen, His presence is never absent, and just because God’s hand is invisible doesn’t mean it isn’t at work in your situation.
“Here’s some good news for you: The miraculous work God has been doing behind the scenes is about to take center stage!”
Today, I prophesy over you and declare that the extraordinary things God has been doing behind the scenes, away from your view, are about to be revealed publicly. Those who witness the manifestation of His invisible handiwork will be in awe. When this happens, just remember to whom the glory belongs!
Oh, my friend, He has sent me to you in your moment of greatest need to confirm that He is extending His mighty, unseen hand to orchestrate your breakthrough.
As Kaiah and I discussed her backstage duties, something interesting struck me about her executing tasks on cue. In theater, essential set pieces or accessories appear at the perfect moment to ensure the show's smooth production. Sometimes, the invisible hand provides what's needed at the very last second.
The performer must step out on stage in faith, trusting that what they need will appear precisely when required because they rely on the one skillfully working behind the scenes.
A word of encouragement came to me for you: if you're at a critical juncture, remember that God is behind the scenes, orchestrating events, and waiting in the wings to provide exactly what you need at the perfect moment.
So, don’t be tormented by worry simply because what you long for hasn’t shown up yet. Don’t fret if you do not yet see signs of Heaven releasing answers in response to your prayers. God is up to something incredible!
The Master Director
In the theater of life, God is the Master Director, fully in control of the timing. He specializes in delivering blessings in the nick of time. Though you may not see answers to your prayers yet, don’t panic—they’re coming. He has never missed a cue. His ears are not deaf to your cries. His eyes are not blind to your needs. God told me to remind someone reading that He's never late.
For a moment, imagine a stagehand in the shadows, always ready, always watching, and always in control, ensuring everything comes together perfectly, just when it's meant to—that's what God does. Only, He’s far more powerful!
He’s the Master Director, putting the pieces together, overseeing the process, and making final decisions about every aspect of a production. He is directing your life, ordering your steps, and working things out for your good.
In fact, it is the Master Director who orchestrated your visit here so He can speak to you through this word. I know it’s so because He wouldn’t allow me to rest until I released this message you are currently reading.
The Master Director has sent me to you, the one navigating a troubled stage and yearning for relief. To you, who has lifted up earnest and consistent prayers, yet sees no change. To you, whom doubt whispers, “God does not hear you.” To you, struggling to assemble the puzzle pieces of your life. To you, feeling cornered in a room where the walls seem to be closing in.
For the one crying out for manifestation and deliverance, I stopped by to tell you, God is getting ready to show up and prove Himself to be whatever you need Him to be.
Isn’t He The Same God?
You may be wondering, Dianna, how can I know He’ll show up? Do you know how bad my situation is? Could you possibly understand how much—and how long—I’ve been going through?
Well, I have a question for you: Don’t we serve the same God who revealed Himself all throughout Scripture as a provider of every need?
God appeared to Abraham as a ram caught in the thicket, providing a sacrifice in place of his son Isaac (Genesis 22:13). He appeared to Elijah in a gentle breeze, lifting him up at his lowest point of discouragement (1 Kings 19:12).
He appeared to Elisha and his servant as a host of horses and chariots of fire, ready to battle a formidable enemy (2 Kings 6:16-17). He appeared to Isaiah in the temple, in all His majesty, on a throne where the train of His robe filled the temple (Isaiah 6:1).
He showed up for Israel as manna, bread from heaven, in the wilderness to satisfy their hunger, foreshadowing Christ, the Bread of Life, in the New Testament (Exodus 16:4; John 6:31-59).
He showed up as God in the flesh, a baby in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes, to redeem all of mankind from our sins (Luke 2:16). He is Emmanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).
But that’s not the end of the story. After they crucified Jesus, He died and rose again, and revealed Himself to His disciples as the risen Savior with nail prints in His hands and feet (Luke 24:36-49). And this same resurrected Jesus is still revealing Himself today!
He’s here even now. Can’t you feel His presence? He’s with you now. Can’t you feel His power? He’s moving now. Can’t you feel His anointing? He’s doing a new thing now. Can’t you sense a shifting?
I know I can.
Remember Who He Is
He's appearing to you now, friend, through this writing, telling you to remember who He is—the Great I Am (Exodus 3:14). Whatever you need, God says, “I am.”
I am your healer. I am your strong tower. I am your provider. I am your redeemer. I am your way-maker. I am your defender. I am your refuge. I am your vindicator. I am your answer. I am your Master Director, causing all things to work together harmoniously and seamlessly. I am an ever-present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). I am an on-time God whose grace is always sufficient.
To remind you that our on-time God, who is rich in mercy, is available to us wherever and whenever we need Him, I’m stirring 2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT as the sweetener in your cup of inspiration: “For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, recognize that God’s ultimate plan, to redeem us and grant us eternal life, was an act of extraordinary mercy, requiring only that we believe. This same saving faith that snatched us from the grip of sin is all that is required to experience the ongoing salvation of the Lord day by day. All that is required to receive is that you believe.
Believe despite what you see. Friend, focus not on what you lack but on the One who lacks nothing. Don’t stress about all that you are not; instead, trust in all that He is. Don’t fret because you see what isn’t working; rejoice in knowing that the God you cannot see is always working and waiting in the wings to supply every need (John 5:17)!
Now, let’s pray.
God, thank You for reminding me that right now You are working in ways I cannot see to produce tangible results that I—and others—will soon see and glorify Your name. When doubt, worry, and stress rise up, let my faith rise higher and declare that You, oh my God, shall supply all my need according to Your riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
