Here is the topping on the pudding. There are counselors who have earthly wisdom and we praise the Lord for their insights and gifts. They are knowledgeable about the situation. They have our best interests in mind, but they can not do anything to help us. They are powerless. The Wonderful Counselor has the power to give the weak strength, the needy help.
The wonder is that this child was born of God and born of man. That is a wonder that gave Him not only all insight but power.
When John the Baptist was imprisoned, he sent some of his disciples to Jesus asking plainly if He was the one, the Christ, so Jesus replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Luke 7:22. That is a wonderful counselor.
The counselor in the human sense can only share advice and people either accept or reject it. There were people in the Bible called to come to Christ, but they turned away. They were not interested when they discovered what being a disciple of Jesus meant, but for those who did come, came in weakness and found strength through His power. They came as sinners and found forgiveness by His power. They came lost and were saved by His power. He not only is one who has wisdom, truth and love, but the power to change us, if we will let Him do His work.
Chuck Colson tells of a letter he received from a man who read Colson’s conversion story in the newspaper following all the Watergate mess back in the 70’s. The man told him of his ruined life with drink, neglect and loss of job and family. Now he is celebrating Christmas with family, sober, employed, and loved because of the change in his life through Jesus Christ who said to his heart, “Come unto me all who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest unto your souls.”
Colson cried when he read that letter. In politics working in the White House, he influenced lots of policies, but could not point to anyone whose life was changed for the better, but now he could point people to the One who had the power to change peoples’ heart. Jesus has the power through the Holy Spirit to do that in any life.
He counsels us by His word and by the indwelling of His Spirit. Sometimes the Lord uses others to help us in our Christian walk and decisions. It isn’t only important that we know the way to go but obey it and trust Him to guide us daily.
Application: Today meditate on, "His name is Wonderful Counsellor".
Prayer: You, O Lord, are my Wonderful Counsellor. It is You that I seek. It is Your Holy Spirit that enlightens, teaches and counsels me through Your Word. Thank You for this great mystery through faith.
