Wonderful Counselor

“ . . . And He will be called Wonderful Counselor . . . “  Isaiah 9:6

Have you ever wished you could have your own, personal adviser? I’m not just talking about financial advice or help in making major decisions. I’m talking about someone who holds every answer, even to the questions you don’t know you need to ask.

What if you had access to unfailing guidance in every situation? Guidance that would always prosper you somehow, that would steer you away from pitfalls, and would direct you straight into the heart of God’s plan for you?

Allow me to introduce you to one of the amazing gifts God offers through Jesus. Meet the Wonderful Counselor.

I am humbled and awed each time I consider the lengths God took to preserve my life and yours. Sin’s pull on our hearts is so strong, it’s nature so destructive, God knew we could not overcome it without divine intervention. So He sent us Jesus. The Son of God left His throne in heaven, wrapped Himself in human flesh, and entered our world on a lonely night in Bethlehem to save us from ourselves.

No throng of worshipers greeted Him. Instead, the voice of the Word made flesh first graced the ears of stable animals near to His infant cries. Unwelcomed at birth, the world He created would also reject Him at His death. Jesus would one day exchange the rough wood of the manger for the splintered beams of the cross.

Even the angels’ announcement proclaiming Jesus’ arrival to the shepherds foretold His fate.

“Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Jesus came to the earth to save. He was born to die, a perfect sacrifice that would defeat the power of sin and death, restoring sweet fellowship with God. Not only would Jesus’ death and resurrection provide for our forgiveness and restoration, but His return to the Father would usher in the release of the Wonderful Counselor.

This was the gift the Disciples didn’t know they wanted.

As Jesus was nearing the end of His earthly ministry, He tried to prepare His followers for His departure. As you may imagine, they didn’t take it well. In their defense, would you?

They had repeatedly witnessed the revelation of God’s miraculous power through Jesus’ ministry, proving Him to be the long-awaited Christ. Chains were broken, sick were healed, water turned to wine, and loaves multiplied. Even storms ceased at Jesus’ word. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Yet Jesus spoke these words in John 16:7,

“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

Jesus taught that what the Counselor would provide surpassed what Jesus could do if He remained here in His earthly form. It was in our best interest for Him to leave.

We often think how much easier the Disciples had it. They saw Jesus face to face! They could touch Him and hear His voice. While we struggle so much with our faith, they had the assurance of His presence among them to wipe away their doubt. Yet Jesus claimed that we have the greater gift!

What does the Counselor offer that the person of Jesus could not? Jesus explained further in John 14:16-18.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

No, we don’t have the physical person of Jesus walking beside us. But those of us who believe have the presence and power of Jesus dwelling within us! We’re no longer limited by the physical boundaries of our location. He remains wherever we are because He dwells inside us. And Scripture assures us that once we have Him, He’s here to stay.

Jesus kept His promise, dear one. He hasn’t left us alone. When we commit to follow Him, He makes His home in us as the Counselor, the Spirit of truth. Listen to what He desires to do in your life.

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” John 16:13-14

Jesus promised that the Wonderful Counselor will guide us into all truth. Do you understand what that means, dear one? The Counselor will not only give us understanding of God’s Word, but He’s also available to warn us away from deception. His job is to steer us along the path of God’s will, thwarting the enemy’s plans to harm us and leading us safely through to God’s blessing. He speaks what He hears from Christ and makes it known to us. And verse 13 promises that He will even tell us what is yet to come!

Beloved, are you listening? Have you opened the gift of the Wonderful Counselor? Will you tune your ear to His quiet voice and follow Him on your path to blessing?