Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace.
Which of these descriptions of Jesus is most meaningful for you as we end 2020? It’s been an unprecedented year. As we take our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs to the Lord, it’s comforting to know that He can answer all the dimensions of our prayers.
Are you in need of wisdom or encouragement? Call out to our wonderful counselor for help. He guides us according to His Word and through the Holy Spirit.
Are you having trouble trusting God’s promises? Remember that Jesus is Mighty God. As you read the Gospels, pay attention to how Jesus responds to the needs around Him with power and compassion; He shows us God’s love in action.
Are you yearning for family, for acceptance, for comfort? Look to the One who ministers God’s fatherly care to us. Jesus loves us with the love of an everlasting father, extending God’s fatherly care to us, so that we are called children of God (1 John 3:1).
Finally, are you longing for peace? Maybe it’s emotional peace for yourself or your family, or maybe it’s the broader “peace on earth” that we hope for at Christmas. Whichever one you need and long for, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He possesses all peace within Himself, and He shares it with us. If you find yourself anxious and looking for peace, turn to Jesus in prayer. When you do, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
God meets all of our needs through Jesus Christ. As we end this year and look to the next, draw near to Jesus in prayer and in His Word to find spiritual strength, hope, and joy.
For Reflection:
— Read through Isaiah 9:1-7 again. What aspect of Jesus’ character is most encouraging to you?
— Give yourself a spiritual evaluation of 2020. What have been the major themes in your life, and how have you coped with them?
— What are your spiritual aspirations for the new year? How will you look to Jesus to meet your needs then?