How to Regain the Sense of Wonder of the Wonderful Counselor (Isa 9:6-15)
His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6)
In the context of this chapter the Israelites are going through a period of darkness, despair and depression. In our gloom and despair, we fear that our sorrows will never end. But we can take comfort in the midst of our uncertainties. Even though God may not spare us from our troubles, He promises that if we follow Him then He will lead us safely through them.
In this passage Isaiah describes the child who would be our deliverer as the Messiah. These northern territories, Zebulun and Naphtali were in the northern kingdom where Jesus grew up and ministered. He is the great light, the wonderful counselor (The exceptional, wondrous loving one, the one without a peer, the one who always gives the right advice), the mighty God (Hallelujah for the Lord God omnipotent reigns), the Everlasting Father (He is timeless and a loving Father who always provides, protect and points us in the right direction), the Prince of Peace (His rule, reign and government is one of justice and peace and order).
In the midst of our darkest times, God promises to send a light that will shine on everyone living in the shadows of death, despair and deterioration.
Christ alone provides us with an eternal hope in the midst of our hopelessness, helplessness and heartaches.
He came to be our deliverer from sin, selfishness and suffering.
Today it seems that many Christians have lost the sense of excitement, surprise and curiosity to know more about the wonderful Counselor? Here are nine ways to rejuvenate that sense of wonderment about the Lord we love.
True Story: One woman called her flight agent to book a flight to New York. She said, "I want to go and see the wonders of hippopatamus New York, please book me a flight from Dallas." The agent said, "I’m sorry Madame but there is no such city. Perhaps you want Albany or Syracuse?"
After ten minutes the agent said, "Maybe you want to go to Buffalo?
Oh yes, that is the place because I want to see the wonders of Niagara falls, the woman said. I knew it was near the city that sounded like a huge animal!
That woman was genuinely excited about going to learn about a place she had never been even though her knowledge left something to be desired.
Many people in the USA are more in wonderment about what Brett Farve will do for the New York Jets than they are about the wonders that God is going to do in their life this year.
I have often heard the President of Trinity college say to our graduating students, "Never lose the wonder of the Lord. Otherwise you will grow stale, dull and eventually lose your fervor in serving him." He is exactly right.
Here are nine aspects of the Lord that we can worship, sing about and tell others to elevate them to higher levels of wonderment in gaining greater vision, perspective and intimacy with the Wonderful Counselor:
1. WOUNDED - He was wounded for our transgression. (Isa 53)
When we consider the price He paid for our forgiveness we have to fall on our faces in awestruck love, appreciation and gratitude for bearing shame and sin in our place.
I remember in Nigeria when my students would sing the song, "He was wounded for our transgression. He bore our sins in His body on the tree. For our sins HE sacrificed. With His blood His gave release. And with His stripes we are made whole." It made me weep with a greater wonder of His love.
2. WORTHY - We often sing, "Thou are worthy O Lord to receive glory, honor and power. For You have created all things and for your pleasure they are and are created." (Rev. 4:11) We worship the Lord because of His worthship. He is the weighty one who is worthy to receive all of our allegiance, service and attention above everything else. Paul wrote, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." (PHil. 1:21)
3. WHEREWITHAL - The Lord is the source, means and the goal of life. Paul wrote, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity." (Rom 11:33-36)
Peter wrote, "Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who calls us by HIs own glory and excellence. He helps us escapes the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Pet 1:3,4)
The Lord is the provision giver for all our needs according to HIs riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
4. WORRY ELIMINATOR - Paul wrote, "Do not worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God that passes all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. " (PHil. 4:6-8)
God gives us the capacity to remain cool, calm, collected and composed in the midst of the upsets of life.
5. WISDOM GIVER - James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God who gives to all men generously and does not withhold and it will be given to him.
He is the one who gives you the ability to take information and put it into the best use. Without the wisdom of God the smartest person on the planet is a mere fool.
6. WRATH DELIVERER - He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, but he who does not believe the wrath of God abides on him. (John 3:36)
There are approximatley 90% of the world’s population who constantly live under the wrath of God because they are yet to be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. We need to do everything we can to help them escape the wrath of God and find Christ as their Savior and Lord.
Do not think lightyly of the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance. (Rom 2:4)
7. WILL ILLUMINATOR - Jesus said, "If any one is willing to do my will they will know of the teaching. Whether it is from God or whether I speak from myself." (John 7:17)
The Holy Spirit of God wants to teach you how to maximize the will of God for your life if you will seek God through His word, in prayer and through godly counselors. Too many people are probing in the dark to try to find the best pathways to take in life.
In all your ways acknowledge Him (as Lord) and He will direct your paths. (Prov. 3:5,6)
8. WHISPERING HOPE - David wrote, "Why are you cast down O my soul. And why are so disquieted within me. Hope in God for I will yet praise Him. For He is the hope of my countenance." (Psa 42)
Find your hope, your expectation for good things and your source of renewal by hoping in God and His promises and His future for you. Only the Lord God has the capacity to give you and future and a hope that will work everything together for your benefit. (Jer 29:11; Rom. 8:28,29)
9. WORLD-WIDE SAVIOR - Jesus said, "God so loved the world (all 238 nations and all 7 billion people on the planet not just the 4% of the people who live inside the borders of the USA)
There are still 92% of the world that is yet to know the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Without Christ as Savior people are slaves to sin, fear and eternal judgment. To the degree that we are involved in the great commission proportional to how well we will be able to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Pet 3:18)
God only had one Son and He sent Him to earth as a missionary. No one who wants to grow in Christ can be exempted from a ministry of outreach to the lost.
Jesus summarized His purpose when He said, "Even the Son of man has come to seek and to save those which are lost." (Luke 19:10)
What are we doing today to win the lost, reach the unreached and present the gospel to those who have never heard?
Jesus is ALL to me
10. Jesus in me
9. Jesus with me
8. Jesus when I sit
7. Jesus above me
6. Jesus before me
5. Jesus when I rise
4. Jesus behind me
3. Jesus beneath me
2. Jesus when I lie down
And the number one reflection of Jesus
1. Jesus shield me this day
