My Wonderful Counselor

One of my all-time favorite descriptive names of God is not just counselor, but Wonderful Counselor cited in Isaiah 9:6.

There are at least three other verses that depict God in this way - John 14:15-17; John 14:25-26; and Psalm 119:24.

The verses in John are the words of Jesus. John 14:15-17 says, "If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth."

And John 14:25-26 states, "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

He is describing the nature and role of the third part of the Holy Trinity - The Holy Spirit - who will come and live within believers after His final departure. In these verses, Jesus specifies the Holy Spirit as "Advocate". In the original language that word is parakletos (par-ak-lay-tos) meaning one who comes alongside; intercessor; counselor; comforter; advocate. 

This role of the Holy Spirit is loaded. Not only does the Holy Spirit tend to the needs of believers directly by coming alongside them to counsel and comfort them through the spirit and The Word, but The Holy Spirit also interceeds and advocates on our behalf to Father God for whatever we need but did not ask for.

Psalm 119:24 portrays God's laws, rules and really all His Words as a "delight" and "counselors". "Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors." The phrase "my counselors" that refers back to God's Word, in the original language - iysh (eesh) - means an individual, usually male, whose advice is extremely valued. 

Solomon spoke truth when he said, "A person finds joy when giving an apt reply -- and how good is a timely word!" (Proverbs 15:23) You can always count on God's Word in this fashion. There is not a situation that the Word of God and His Holy Spirit cannot touch in our lives. Hebrews 4:12 states - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Paul, when he writes his second letter to Timothy, encourages him and instructs young Timothy that - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Finally, we arrive at the original name and title of God I am so fond of - Wonderful Counselor. Isaiah 9:6 states, "And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

In the original language, the word "Wonderful" is pele (peh-leh) meaning miracle; marvelous; wonder. Then "Counselor" in the original language is ya ats (yaw-ats) meaning counselor; advisor; resolver. 

Place them together while considering the supportive Scripture and you get a Miracle-Working, Wonder Producing, Resolver of issues that lives within each believer and is actively interceeding for them. That is My Wonderful Counselor.