Wonderful, Merciful Savior!

“And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!” – Isaiah 9:6

 

One of my favorite worship songs, entitled Wonderful, Merciful Savior, was written and sung by a group known as Selah, a contemporary Christian vocal trio consisting of Todd Smith, Allan Hall and Amy Perry. The word Selah is used at the end of some of the Psalms calling for a pause or break in the singing for the purpose of reflecting upon the words just sung.

The prophet Isaiah describes the coming Messiah above with these words, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!” Jesus is the embodiment and fulfillment of this prophecy. He is the most wonderful counselor. He is sympathetic to our weaknesses and so understanding of our failings and fallings. Jesus invites us “to approach [his] throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). Do you need mercy and grace and peace this morning? “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Isaiah calls the Messiah (Jesus) Mighty God and Everlasting Father. Jesus, in essence, declared Himself to be God in the flesh. Listen to the dialogue between Jesus and Philip found in John 14:8-10. “Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father?” Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me?'” Isaiah is not saying that Jesus is the Father, only that He is like the Father. If you want to see what God the Father is like then look to God the Son. They are One according to the Scriptures. The Trinity is a mysterious concept and beyond human comprehension. The Bible clearly teaches that followers of Jesus believe in one God who exists in three Persons, and yet, is still one God. How can this be? Perhaps we will be given full understanding in Heaven. Until then, know this: with His mighty power, Jesus is able to do all things and He knows all things. Most importantly, He can even rescue the souls of men. Has your soul been rescued by our Mighty God, the Lord Jesus Christ?

Finally, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He is the only one who can bring peace into our hearts and into this troubled world. Have you come to Jesus to find peace? Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and burden is light.” If you are carrying a load of guilt or some other great burden, come to Jesus. Remember, He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!

In closing, Selah, pause and reflect upon the words of Wonderful, Merciful Savior!

Wonderful, merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh, You rescue the souls of men.

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost our way
Oh, we’ve hopelessly lost the way.

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for.

Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we’re falling before Your throne.

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for. [i]