Wonderful Counselor | Day 2

A counselor is someone who offers guidance. We turn to friends, family, and experts for guidance and their advice influences the choices we make every day. Our lives are full of counselors.

In the Old Testament, a counselor was the king’s trusted advisor. The king had the authority to make the final decision on a matter, but the counselor influenced how the king thought about the matter. The success or downfall of a king often depended on whose counsel he followed.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

The same is true for us. The advice we listen to impacts our decisions and our decisions shape our lives. We need good counselors. Counselors who encourage us to do what is right and good. Counselors who speak truthfully about our situation. Counselors who can help us understand others and ourselves more accurately. Counselors we can trust.

So what makes Jesus the Wonderful Counselor? He always, inherently knows what is true and good. He needs no one to counsel him. His judgements are perfect. And he offers us his reliable guidance through his revealed Word and indwelling Spirit.

Of course at some point in our lives, all of us chose to live how we wanted rather than follow his counsel. But here’s the wonderful part – the part about Jesus that surprises us by its beauty and unmatched quality: Jesus combines his perfect knowledge with perfect love. He didn’t just say, “I told you so.” He came and died in our place to say, “I love you so!” Jesus didn’t just give us good advice, he gives us himself.

Questions for Reflection:

Whose guidance do you listen to? Why do you trust their advice?

Prayer:

Jesus, help us to trust you more and listen to the counsel of your Word. Increase our discernment when listening to the advice of others so that we may do the things that honor and please you.

Family Activity (Optional):

Set up all the materials needed to wrap a present. Choose one person to wrap the present while blindfolded by following the “counsel” (verbal directions) of someone else. This illustrates how counselors can offer us the perspective we don’t have. You can even go a step further and have multiple people speaking directions to the blindfolded person to illustrate the many “counselors” we have in our lives.

Name Above All Names | Day 2 | Advent 2025