For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. –Isaiah 9:6 (English Standard Version)

Jason M. Alexandre, Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

Praise be to the Most High! The Creator of heaven and earth! Praise! To the only God who has created the creatures of the land, water and us human beings! Praise him even more for providing a way in which we can now fellowship with Him again through Jesus Christ, His Son.

For you were once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. –Colossians 1:22-23

In our chosen passage of scripture we’re encouraged by the Prophet Isaiah’s Hope in the Messiah to come. For the Messiah was to bring relief in the midst of the people’s distresses and they would share in His victories. He would be called Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor. Do we see Jesus as our Counselor?

Often times we depend too much on others instead of Him. While it is beneficial to have intimate support systems in our families and friends, our best counselor is Jesus Christ. For God has promised, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”–Psalm 32:8

Man is of a fallen nature and consequently they can only provide but so much help! Jesus is of an uncontaminated and sinless spirit for the Bible says that “the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear.” –Isaiah 11:2-3

But it’s my prayer that we don’t only inquire of him when we get into trouble. Our days ought to be bathed in prayer for he is available at all hours of the day and all hours of the night. The Psalmist knew this very well when he said, “I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.–Psalm 16:7-8

You say, “But Jesus said He’s coming back someday. How can he counsel me now?” Friend, He has left you a Helper; One who can provide the same help in which you’ve received from Christ himself. For the Bible says, “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. –John 14:26

I may be physically short in person but I am tall on my knees in prayer! The world may put their trust in men and their counsels “but for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge that I may tell of all your works.” –Psalm 73:28 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! –Psalm 34:8-9 Amen

-Jason

Jason’s vision is for the gospel to continue to spread throughout the world and believes it is Christian’s responsibility to carry out this mission effectively. To learn more about the organization for which Jason volunteers, please visit www.HaitiChristianity.org.

Learn more about Jason M. Alexandre here.