December 23 – Sovereign Promises

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6 (NASB)

The book named after the prophet Isaiah is packed with promises from our sovereign God. Today we are familiar and know the true reason we celebrate December 25 as Christmas. No, it isn’t the loveable fat old man called Santa Claus – a name derived from Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was a real person between the years 220 A.D. and 343 A.D. He was a Christian bishop during the time of the Roman Empire. Many far-reaching, even dark legends developed around that name.  But there’s a name, Immanuel, connected to December 25, that is not legend. It’s the real story of a man who’s birth was prophesied centuries before His birth. In Isaiah 7:14 is a promise of the birth of a son named Immanuel to a young girl who was yet a virgin. Today’s verse elaborates on the name Immanuel.  Wonderful Counselor. This King will implement supernatural wisdom in discharging His office; Mighty God. As a powerful warrior, He will accomplish the military exploits mentioned in 9:3–5; Eternal Father. The Messiah will be a Father to His people eternally; Prince of Peace. The government of Immanuel will bring and perpetuate peace among the nations of the world.

 

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December 14 – Power and Wisdom

“...but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:24  (NASB)

We continue from yesterday's look at one of the four names proclaimed for Jesus in the prophecy found in Isaiah 9:6, Wonderful Counselor.  In today's verse selection from the first letter to the believers in Corinth we are taught that to all who believe and follow Jesus Christ, no matter if they are Jews or Gentiles (non-Jews), that Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.  We often need counsel and advice as we live our Christian life.  Problems arise in our lives which sometimes are very perplexing.  When this happens we need to remember that we have a Wonderful Counselor who can guide us through all the enigmas of life.  Yes, our Lord Jesus is the Son of God, the God of Wisdom.  When he walk here on earth the people marveled at His wisdom, even from a very young age.  He has promised to help us solve our problems and navigate our path.  We can go to him with confidence for the advice and counsel we need.

Wonderful Counselor

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December 13 – Amazing Child is Born

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6 (NASB)

When we read in the Bible the predictions and prophecies regarding the coming birth of Jesus, we realize how much His coming means to us who believe and follow Him.  Our verse today is one of the Old Testament predictions about the coming of Jesus.  We at one of the descriptions of the child that was to be born.  It proclaims that His name will be Wonderful Counselor.  This title tells us something about how Jesus would affect people.  He would cause people to wonder and to be amazed at his wisdom.  To us who believe in Jesus and follow Him, we also find Him an amazing and wonderful counselor in our own lives, do we not?.  Some versions put a comma between Wonderful and Counselor but the better translations has only the four descriptions of  the predicted child to be born.  He is all four which supports the promise that the government rests on His shoulders and confirms his right to Kingship and Authority over all other governments and people.   

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