Advent Devotion: “Wonderful Counselor”

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it  with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV)

I need counseling. Do you? That’s kind of an uncomfortable thing to talk about, isn’t it? We don’t like to admit that we need help. As a pastor, I’ve learned to appreciate the people who are willing to actually talk about what’s happening in their lives. We don’t like to. Instead, what do we think? “I can handle it. I’ve just got to be stronger. I’ve just got to tough it out. I’m not going to let anybody know. I can do it!” Right? No. I need counseling. You need counseling.

God says so! This Advent, we’re going to spend each Wednesday focusing on the same two verses from Isaiah. 700 years before Christmas, God had Isaiah write down what Jesus would be like, with amazing clarity. Martin Luther said that we hear more about Jesus in Isaiah than in the gospels of the New Testament. As God had Isaiah describe the coming Messiah, he gave him four two-word titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Each week, we’ll talk about a different title. Today we’ll think about the first one: Wonderful Counselor. If Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, do you know what you need? Counseling.

That’s not what the Israelites thought they needed. They thought they needed an army. At the time of Isaiah, the Assyrians were invading. They destroyed the whole northern kingdom of Israel. They attacked the southern kingdom of Judah. There was danger. There was darkness. There were threats on all sides. And the Israelites were thinking: We need an army.

Actually, they needed a Counselor. They needed someone to point out their real problem. Do you know what it was? Here’s how the book of Isaiah starts: “The LORD has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand. Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great” (Isaiah 1:2-4). What was the real problem for the Israelites? Their sin. They had rebelled against God. Not with swords. With their hearts. They were dumber than donkeys. They thought they were wise, but they didn’t understand anything.

They needed a Counselor. Isn’t that what a counselor is supposed to do? I’ve actually gone through counseling a number of times. The counselor always starts by seeking out the root problem. The true source of the conflict. That’s what Jesus does for us. He takes us from what we see on the outside to the real problem inside. I love the story of when four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. This man lay before Jesus, unable to walk. Jesus looked at him and loved him and said, “Your sins are forgiven.” Isn’t that surprising? That man had a problem even worse than not being able to walk. It was his sin. His Wonderful Counselor pointed it out.

Have you learned that from Jesus? Isaiah wrote: “Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness” (Isaiah 1:5-6). In the days of Noah and the flood, we’re told: “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5). Your thoughts aren’t right. My thoughts aren’t right. Your emotions aren’t right. My emotions aren’t right. My ideas aren’t the best. Yours aren’t either. We’re sinful. We need counseling. Can you see that? We need to listen to Jesus.

Why? So that he can tell you something you never could have dreamed on your own. This is how the Bible talks about the good news of Jesus: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him…” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Jesus has something to tell us that no one else will. When you see a counselor, they always tell us what to try to do. “Here are some steps for you to get your life back on track. Stop this. Start this. Think like this.” That’s always our plan. Try harder. Do more. Does that get rid of sin? No! Later, Isaiah writes, “All the counsel you have received has only worn you out!”

God had a different plan. A child. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” God said, “I’m going to give you something.” Actually, Someone. Actually, God himself became a child. Who would have thought that? It’s incomprehensible that the God who created the universe was born of a woman. The Bible calls the message of Jesus and his cross “foolishness.” God was born. God lived and walked on earth. God died on the cross for all of our sins. God rose from the dead. What we couldn’t do, God did it. All of it. Who could have possibly thought that up? It sounds foolish! How are we supposed to believe it? Because the Wonderful Counselor tells it to us.

Actually, those are the key words. There are two little words that make all the difference in the world. For whom would this child be born? Did you catch it? “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…” To whom? “To us.” “To us.” Martin Luther once preached: “You must take the four letters T-O U-S and make them as large as heaven and earth. Yes, God became a child, but to whom is he born? TO US!” This is the wonderful counsel of God! No eye has seen it. No ear has heard it. No mind could conceive it. What God has done for us! God became a child for us.

He’s a Wonder. The word “Wonderful” in “Wonderful Counselor” actually isn’t an adjective. It’s a noun. Know the difference? Jesus is a Wonder of a Counselor. What’s a “wonder?” Something totally unique. One of a kind. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry” (John 6:35). “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12). “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25). “I am the way and the truth and the life!” (John 14:6). Jesus is an incredible Wonder! You need Jesus to help you believe that. Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor.

How can we be certain? How can we know for sure that all of this is true? As I studied this prophecy, I realized something: It’s all written in the past tense. Our English translation doesn’t really know what to do. The Hebrew text doesn’t say, “A child will be born.” It says, “A child was born.” Huh? God’s promises are certain, even before they happen. There’s no uncertainty. No “if.” No “we’ll see.” Jesus’ birth is spoken of as a past event. That’s how certain God’s promises are! That child was born for Isaiah already in 700 B.C. That child was born for you.

Because you need counseling. Can you see that? You need a Wonderful Counselor. Jesus sits us down, tells us the truth about ourselves, and then comforts us with his grace. When you feel like you can’t, you’re right. When you feel like you need help, you do. Remember: You have a Wonderful Counselor. He’s here for you. He was born to save you. Earlier this week, I shared a prayer that I read in Isaiah. It’s perfect for Advent. It’s perfect for anyone needing counseling: “LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress” (Isaiah 33:2). Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You have a Wonderful Counselor!