Who is Your Counselor?

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Today’s prayer point is simple.  Pray that our sons and daughters would lean on Jesus for wise instruction and direction.  He watches over them so lovingly.  He WILL counsel them, but they need to be listening.   Let’s be mindful to point them in the direction of looking for answers from the Lord and listening to His voice as they wait.

Christmas Season challenge: As you listen to Christmas carols today, pray for those people on the other side of the radio, listening along.  Pray that their eyes are opened to the truth and light of Jesus.  Pray that when they sing these words ….

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Savior
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Traditional English Carol

Or these…..

O Holy Night!

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Song by Adolphe Adam

….that these lost ones would hear and finally realize the truth of the words they sing.  Pray their hearts would be transformed and they would fall on their knees to follow after the Wonderful Counselor, Jesus.

Pray without ceasing.

Wonderful Counselor

Isaiah 9:6-7 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

What is a counselor?  We often think of those who offer wise advice or guidance.  Perhaps we opt to see a counselor when we’re facing a life crisis or struggling with difficult emotions.  That individual serves as a sounding board and source of direction and boundary for us in those times when we can’t seem to find our way. 

Schools have Guidance Counselors who are trained and equipped to provide direction on next steps in education. But they also serve to provide resources and support for students in crisis or comfort when there is a tragedy.

In the legal system, attorneys are often called counselors because they guide their clients through the legal process and help them navigate the intricacies of the law that otherwise they might not understand or possess the expertise to manage successfully.  They offer advice, protection and defense.

Look at the many uses and examples of ‘counselor’ in scripture:

• Moses’ father in law counseled him to be the representative to God for the people of Israel, to stand before God on their behalf and be an example to them of how they should live, according to God’s commands (Exodus 18:19).  Jesus shows us how to live.

• Counselors help establish purpose and wise counsel helps plans succeed. Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” God is the ultimate wise counselor and His plans will always succeed.

  • Proverbs 19:21 ”Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

  • Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”

• Wise counsel brings Joy. Proverbs 12:20 “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.”  Friends, Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, brings joy, light and life.

There are so many examples in scripture, we could go on for days! When scripture calls Jesus a “Wonderful Counselor” God is showing us that Jesus, the promised Messiah, is all of these things, and more!! His birth brought spiritual wisdom and the light of the knowledge of God to a darkened, dying world. 

• Do you need someone to listen to your heavy heart?  Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor who will listen and encourage with words of life.

• Are you searching for direction in life?  Jesus can point the way and His navigation is always perfect.

• Are you in trouble and need someone to come to your defense?  Jesus is the best Counselor you can have who will wield wisdom and powerful truth to defend you.

• Are you accused or held captive?  Jesus is the counselor who can loose the chains of deception and lies and bring freedom with God’s truth.

Friends, there are so many voices out there competing for the attention and alliance of our sons and daughters, promising life, joy, health, wealth and the like.  But those voices only lead to bondage, emptiness, disappointment, and disillusion.  We need to pray that our sons and daughters look to Jesus and only Jesus to be their Wonderful Counselor.  He alone is wise, trustworthy and powerful enough to bring resolution, redemption and righteous freedom. He is the Wonderful Counselor.

Christmas Season Challenge: pray for those who are incarcerated over the holidays, yes, pray for those in prison, that they would come to know Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor and would find true freedom in their hearts and minds.  

Pray without ceasing.