Wonderful Counselor: Trusting Jesus for Wisdom and Guidance

The Bible tells us that all things were created through him. And in him all things hold together. Now that's beyond our grasp. If Jesus wasn't holding these together, we'd just fly apart into nothing. He sustains us moment by moment. And on earth he did wonders that were mind-blowing. When Jesus calmed the sea, the disciples, the Bible tells us, were terrified and asked each other, Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him. [00:39:18] (32 seconds)  #SustainerOfAll

When you put these two titles together, Wonderful Counselor, Isaiah is saying he is a wonder of a counselor. His teaching and guidance is mind-boggling in its perfection. None can compare or even come close. His counsel is infallible. Why is that? Well, first of all, he sees all things perfectly. Wonderful Counselor speaks of one whose counsel flows from infinite understanding. He sees all things. He sees how all things interconnect. He sees the big picture. [00:41:49] (39 seconds)  #InfiniteWisdom

But Jesus, as God, knows how he designed the world and what works and what gives life. And so he speaks that which is true. His directives aren't just good advice. They're based on the very fabric of reality. And when he says this is right and this is wrong, it's not an opinion. It's not a culturally conditioned circumstance. He is speaking from the very reality of creation itself and from the internal nature of him as God. Things work when we follow his counsel. [00:43:07] (39 seconds)  #PerfectGuidance

He knows trials and joys. He's experienced weakness and hunger and temptation. Weariness, pain, hunger, thirst. To these human experiences, he adds divine knowledge that allows him to be acquainted intimately with every detail of your life. He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows your struggles. He knows you from the inside out. He knows your self-justifications and your false ways of thinking. He knows it all and is seeking to work in that to bring wholeness. [00:44:31] (36 seconds)  #PathThroughPain

He sees how everything interrelates, and he knows the outcome of every action. And as the one who knows all, his wisdom is just as perfect in family matters, and marriage, and business matters, and financial matters, as it is in spiritual matters. Because he knows all that stuff. He knows everything about science. He is a creator, and he knows what's best for you. And finally, he has the ability to lead you to that best. Praise God for that. [00:46:28] (36 seconds)  #CounselorAndGod

I'm so fickle and weak that I wander off apart from his grace. But this wonderful counselor is also mighty God. As the wonderful counselor, he has perfect insight. He knows what is best. As mighty God, he has the capacity to get us to that best. He can change us. He can remove our obstacles. He can change our hearts and how our hearts need changing. Lord, change our hearts. Oh, God. He has the wisdom to create a marvelous plan and the power and authority to bring about his plan. [00:47:04] (40 seconds)  #DivineWisdomInAction

``A counselor who is at the same time mighty God is both perfect in wisdom and infinite in ability. Where he guides, where he guides, he can provide. When we obey what he commands, he will make us stand. Jesus, the wonderful counselor. He knows all, loves us completely, guides us perfectly, and can empower and sustain us in all that he wisely asks us to do. So, in response, let's just ask a very practical question. How do you get an appointment with the wonderful counselor? [00:50:20] (45 seconds)  #TrustAndTransform

You know, it works as long as my emotions are up. I'll resist that temptation next time. Have you ever said that? I'll exercise my willpower. Or perhaps I'll avoid it. Or I'll lie my way out of this mess. We must face the fact that we can't do this on our own. We can't figure it out on our own. Our efforts have failed. We're spiritually impoverished apart from him. We need mighty God, wonderful counselor to intervene. [00:52:25] (30 seconds)  #GodsInsight

And strength to do what we couldn't do before. And so after we come to Christ for salvation and trust in him for that, we also need to believe that he can transform us. Even in the mess that we're in, never give up. Whenever you fail, never give up. He is at work. He is transforming you. He can. He will. It's his work. He is working out a process in you that he will bring to completion in the day of Christ Jesus. Believe that. [00:53:37] (32 seconds)  #DailyWordMeditation

And so today, where do you need wisdom? Where do you need direction? Those are important questions that we bring before him today. But above all, you need Jesus. And I need Jesus. He will fill our lives with the deepest wonder and satisfaction and wholeness. The more we come to him, the more we focus on him and set our hearts upon him. He'll be our guiding light. And he will fill you with his light. He'll be your savior, your guide, and your friend. [00:58:51] (38 seconds)