Last year around Christmas, I wrote a short blog based off of Isaiah 9:6. This year, I would like to expound upon that and discuss a different name for Christ listed in this verse each week of December. I love this particular verse because it discusses the gift that God desires to give to the world through the birth of His son, Jesus.
For unto us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
As a counselor, you can imagine I particularly appreciate this attribute of God. In John 14:16, when Jesus was headed toward the cross in his final days, He told His followers that we are sent a paraklētos- a helper, comforter, advocate, counselor- the Holy Spirit. All of us who have the Holy Spirit, have access to His counsel at any time for any reason. It is literally a purpose of His Spirit within us. This brings me great joy, not only for my own good as a counselor, but for the good of my clients! No matter how long I may counsel someone and analyze and understand, when it comes down to it, I am still a limited human. I cannot be present at every conversation you have, every situation you face. I cannot understand the full inner-workings of your mind and heart. I can listen. I can pray for understanding and work to that end. With the education He provided for me coupled with His understanding of you and His guidance, I can help you and give you tools to move forward. But, because of the birth and death and life of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is always present. Always available to help and support His children in their journey. He is there at every conversation. He created you in your mother's womb, He connected every neuron together, so He does understand each and every thought and feeling you have. Even when we don't understand ourselves, He does and intercedes for us. He knows you and your life better than any human could ever attempt, and He is ready and eager to help you through with His all-knowing perspective. He is the Wonderful Counselor. And my support to serve you.
For further reflection-
John 14:16 'And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,'
Isaiah 30:18 'Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.'
Isaiah 55:9 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'
Psalm 139:1-18 'O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord , you know it altogether. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.'
Romans 8:26 'Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.'