Wednesday
Isaiah 28:29; Micah 4:9; 1 Corinthians 1:30

“Counselor”: As soon as this word is spoken, our thoughts immediately jump to a trained individual who is paid to listen to all our questions, issues, and/or problems. After taking in all the information, they make an assessment of the situation and offer advice we can choose to heed or not. When Isaiah said Jesus would be the “Wonderful Counselor,” he never meant it in this sense. His use of the word yo’ets (counselor) is meant to reveal an image of a king giving counsel or guidance to his people (as Micah referred to in chapter 4). In our case, this king happens to be the King of kings.

One descriptive name for the Holy Spirit found in Scripture includes a derivative of the word yo’ets that Isaiah uses in 9:6, further referencing God’s wisdom and guidance. Jesus is the One “who became for us wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor because the counsel he speaks to us is a wonder—the miraculous counsel only a gracious God could give.

As you pray today, spend a few moments meditating on the fact Jesus was sent to be a “wonder of a counselor” for us, bringing the wisdom and guidance of a loving Father.