Wonderful Counselor

As I was starting my advent reading for the season, I was really struck by Is. 9:6.
How many times have I read or heard this verse read?

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will be on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

As I read it I thought about what those 4 titles of Christ mean to me personally. How has He been these to me. So, that is my quest this advent season to make these real, to look at what Christ has done for me this past year.

Wonderful Counselor.

Last night, as I lay my head down, I began to struggle with a some things, frustrated about lack of growth in my life, where I fit in, why my brain seems so dull, blah, blah, blah. I ask for His help, direction and guidance. I want to do well. As I sat to have my devotions this morning, my Wonderful Counselor showed Himself once again.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 Wonderful! What a gentle reminder to this dull minded girl. He will fill me with joy and peace, simply because I believe in Him, that I can abound in hope because the Holy Spirit dwells in me. I will say it again, Wonderful!

Then as I began to read Colossians 1, He reminded me that I am to walk worthy, to please Him in all respects, to bear fruit, to increase in knowledge, attain steadfastness and patience and to joyously give thanks. That is pretty clear direction and guidance, even if one has a dull mind. Counselor! I can do these things because of Christ work on the cross. Verses 12-14, tell me why. God qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Saints gone before, those who have trodden the path and await to share with us our eternal hope and glory! Because of Christ's work on the cross, we have been delivered from darkness, transferred to the kingdom of Christ, and graciously, and mercifully, have redemption and forgiveness of sins. My Wonderful Counselor, did this for me. How can I do anything less than walk worthy of the Lord. I will fall, I will get stuck in a rut as I trod this path before me, but there will also be smooth plains, clearly marked trails and great vistas along the way. I can do this thing, because of His work, words and hope. He is a Wonderful Counselor.