“For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be 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 AMP
Grace Perspective:
Wonderful…marvelous… extraordinary…a child born to us, the very Son of God. It’s almost too much to comprehend that God the Father would send His Son to us as a helpless infant to be the One who would take away our sins. It’s incredible to think that our Savior willingly left the glories of heaven to come to earth to be our counselor – the One who would guide us toward reconciliation with God our Father.
Jesus, the Word of God (see John 1:1), counsels us with wisdom and truth. He may use other believers to share the truth of Scripture or speak to us directly through prayer and meditation. Our path toward eternity will not be a straight line – there will be many twists, turns, and often pit stops – but as we follow the Counselor, He will lead us on the path planned for us from long ago. Listen to His wonderful counsel, for He will never lead us astray. One who came as a tiny infant is also our Mighty God, able to carry us through this life until we are home with Him.
A Touch Of Grace:
How has the Savior counseled you?
How do you respond to His counsel?
Grace Application:
Christmas is coming soon, and with it, a host of feelings. With songs about joy, hope, and love playing around us, it is often hard to sort through the emotions that are not joyful, hopeful, or loving. This season is often one of the hardest for those who are hurting.
This year, I’m finding myself struggling with a sense of loss. Life is good – God is good – and yet there is a place in my heart that longs for the sweetness of Holidays spent with family that has since passed away, moved away, or chosen not to be a part of my life. Life is constantly moving forward, and unexpected changes, disappointments, and hardships sometimes overshadow past joys. Where do I turn when my heart aches, and sorrow threatens to overwhelm me? I turn toward our Wonderful Counselor.
Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, brings comfort to my sorrowing soul. Scripture soothes the tender places – reminding me that He is with me always, His plans are good (not easy, but good), His love is steadfast, His mercies are new every morning, and His grace is sufficient. Through the tears that fall, I see He is leading me to a place of quietness and trust. I’m learning in a new way what it means to trust Him with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding.
Christmas is a time of joy as we celebrate our Savior’s birth. Yet, for many, it’s not the most wonderful time of the year. Many people have broken hearts, lives filled with pain, and hope seems dim. As we head into the few days before Christmas, let’s remember the importance of sharing our hope in our Wonderful Counselor with those around us. Let’s be the bearers of comfort to those whose joy is diminished, and let the Word of God bring peace to others. I pray that our Mighty God will strengthen your hearts as we celebrate the coming of our Savior.
In His Grace – Dawn
Gracious Prayer:
Abba Father, I come to You in the precious name of Jesus, My Savior and Wonderful Counselor. Thank You for the Word that reminds me of my hope in Jesus. Jesus, thank You for coming to earth and providing a way for us to be forgiven and restored to You. Help me trust You fully as You counsel me with the truth in Scripture. Thank you for being a Mighty God who will carry me and strengthen me. May You be glorified in my life, and may others see You through me. Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray you will know you are in Christ Jesus.
If you have any doubt, please seek God so your doubt is erased.
Today is a good day to know you are in Christ Jesus. If you
have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at
graceisdawning@gmail.com**