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 increase 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
Dear Jesus, how I love pondering all the great Advent passages, and this is one of my absolute favorites. There’s not a single need we have that isn’t met in you… fully and gladly. Give us eyes to see, hearts to believe and faith to receive today.
You are our Broad-Shouldered King. Knowing the government of the whole world already rests on your shoulders settles and centers me. This truth melts my fears and fuels my faith. It fills me with a joy only second to knowing your shoulders fully bore the sin of the world, including mine. As this day begins, I raise my shoulders and face to bask in your unparalleled beauty and sovereign reign.
You are Wonderful Counselor. In you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I look to you for knowledge of great mysteries and insight into things eternal, but you’re also the one who gives me counsel on loving my wife well… handling fresh disappoints, old hurts and unfulfilled longings. Everything matters to you.
You are Mighty God—the one who created and sustains the entire universe… the one in whom all things are being summed up. You uphold all things by the power of your word. You’re also the one who gives me power to humble myself when I’d rather stay proud, and you give me strength to boast in my weaknesses when I’d rather be sufficient in myself.
Jesus, to see you is to see the Father and to know you is to know the Father. In this sense you are Everlasting Father. You tenaciously and tenderly care for the needs of the world—even the flowers of every field and the birds in every sky. But you also care about me. You didn’t leave me as an orphan, Jesus. Through your work, I’m not only declared to be righteous in God’s sight, I get to declare God as my Father… Abba, Father. O, the wonder of it all!
No one else can even hint at being the Prince of Peace, for you alone paid the price of peace on the cross. Even as you are presently “shalom-ing”—bringing the increase of your government and peace to all things… so you are advancing the reign of your grace in my life. Forgive me when I look for wholeness, contentment and healing somewhere else—for it is cannot be found anywhere else except in you… today or forever.
For your broad shoulders, big heart and coming kingdom, be glorified, oh blessed Messiah and Redeemer… so very Amen, I pray, in your matchless and merciful name.