His Name Shall Be CalledSample

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

Names held great significance in the Ancient Near East, especially for kings. It was believed that a name would capture the very essence of a person and call attention to what they would accomplish and become.

Isaiah announced that a Messiah was coming who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Therefore, people were expecting someone great.

By any standard, it would be impossible for one human to perfectly possess each of these qualities. Yet, this is exactly what Isaiah is trying to convey. These characteristics belong to God alone, and there is only one ideal ruler in His Son Jesus.

One name was insufficient to describe this Messiah, so he offered four, which would ultimately meet every need imaginable for His people, both then and now.

The first name given was Wonderful Counselor, which essentially means “miracle advisor.”

There are two ways in which Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor or miracle advisor. First, He has the ability and authority to counsel Himself in all matters regarding the affairs of the world, and then act according to His wise counsel for His glory and our good. Second, He is the author and finisher of our faith. That means His plan for our life is better than anything else we could dream up. His desire is for our flourishing, but this is only possible if He remains at the center of everything.

No one can improve on or supersede the absolute, supernatural wisdom that comes directly from God. Even the best self-help books, top podcasts, therapy sessions, or advice from wise friends, though good and helpful, can ultimately fall short.

If you have a problem, He is the solution, every time, without exception. If you are seeking direction, making an important decision, looking for a way out of a problem, or in desperate need of a miracle, then look no further than your miracle advisor. Surrender to His wise counsel, trusting that He will be faithful to show you the way.

He is all-knowing, which means there is nothing beyond the realm of His understanding, there is no problem too great, and no situation too difficult for our Wonderful Counselor. Not even sin and death. The moment sin entered the human story in the Garden of Eden, its effects were devastating and the consequences were death. But God did not hesitate in devising the most infallible and comprehensive plan to rescue humanity.

The giver of life, the only one big enough to defeat death, “made Him [Jesus], to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

In other words, He paid the debt that we could never afford by shedding His blood, and delivering us from the clutches of death, making us right with God, and and giving us new life in Him.

His wisdom is beyond our comprehension, but strong enough for us to put our full weight of trust upon.

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for being our Wonderful Counselor. I trust that your wisdom is beyond my understanding and I choose to put the full weight of my hope in you. Please guide my life today for your glory and my good. Amen.