Mighty King T.U.T.

As we continue on in this Christmas season, we continue to unpack the name of God that we find in Isa. 9:6, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This week, I’m beyond excited that we get to focus on a MIGHTY GOD…because I no doubt believe it’s more than necessary. Disclaimer: more strays may be caught through the reading of this blog. Just sayin…

The Power Beyond Comprehension

The prophet Isaiah paints a breathtaking portrait of God in using the word might. This Hebrew term found here, "gibbor," portrays strength, bravery, and valor—qualities of a warrior who leads battles and wins decisively. This word isn’t just limited to brute force however; encompassing influence, wisdom, and authority. This is the God who commands the sun to stand still, splits seas, and silences storms. When we understand that God's might operates on every plane—physical, spiritual, and relational—it redefines our confidence. He is not a distant deity; He is the ultimate warrior, fighting for us in battles seen and unseen.

Now, the Hebrew word used for God here, "El" is a little different and is about to take us on a bit of a trip…buckle up. It is used to denote God with capital G…or just a god with a lower case g, though it still emphasizes might and power. It is used frequently in the Hebrew Bible in reference to the one true God of Israel, highlighting His strength and sovereignty. It’s also used in the “compounded” names for God, such as "El Shaddai" (God Almighty) or "El Elyon" (God Most High). But in some contexts, it just refers to gods in a general sense or to mighty individuals. Where this gets twisted for Christians (aside from the fact that we have multiple names for God like Elohim, Yahweh…I’ll stop there) is the fact that, in the ancient Near Eastern context, "El" was a common term for deity and was used in various cultures. The Canaanites used the name El for their chief deity as an example. But, again, to confirm, yes. In the Hebrew Bible, "El" is used to affirm the power, supremacy and uniqueness, the distinguishing of Yahweh, the God of Israel, over all other gods; underscoring their monotheistic belief in one all-powerful God who is distinct from the polytheistic traditions of surrounding nations. So, with all this understanding and importance, what’s the issue and what on earth the mighty king T.U.T.?

The Subtle Drift of Misunderstanding

I’m happy to answer. Here lies the mighty King T.U.T., aka The Ugly Truth- we often underestimate God's might, reducing Him to a mere reflection of ourselves. In our human tendencies, we deify people and humanize God, shaping Him into what feels convenient or manageable. Not to mention when “He” fails (which he doesn’t fyi) we deem Him weak and incapable. Why would we make a being so impotent our Lord? How could we call someone like that a “Mighty God?”

But this distortion is not new, and we have ancient Israel to that for it. Recall how they melted gold to create a calf when Moses delayed in the book of Exodus at , and today, we do the same in subtler ways, fashioning God into idols of comfort, prosperity, or personal preference. But God is unshakably mighty. He does not conform to our limitations. It’s not our job to fit God into our lives; it’s to realign our hearts with His unparalleled strength and purpose.

Just Who is a Mighty God?

So I think we need a refresh/reset. For many, I don’t doubt that we’ve never taken the chance to define, to describe what and who God really is. I believe this would shift perspectives and give us a space to exalt the one, true, and mighty God. For this reason, I’m doing us a favor. I’m giving us a definition to start with and work off of. Adam Clarke, British Methodist theologian of the 1700s and 1800s, expressed that God is the following:

God is the eternal, independent, and self-existent Being; the Being whose purposes and actions spring from himself, without foreign motive or influence; he who is absolute in dominion; the most pure, the most simple, the most spiritual of all essences; infinitely perfect; and eternally self-sufficient, needing nothing that he has made; illimitable in his immensity, inconceivable in his mode of existence, and indescribable in his essence; known fully only by himself, because an infinite mind can only be fully comprehended by itself. In a word, a Being who, from his infinite wisdom, cannot err or be deceived, and from his infinite goodness, can do nothing but what is eternally just, and right, and kind.

I think that every believer would say this is sufficient.

The Mighty God in Action

God's might is not just a theological concept; it is manifest in His actions. Yes, I’m being a little hypocritical because we always suggest reveling in who God is, but every now and then we should take a moment and focus on what God does. He fights for us, wielding omnipotence to overcome forces that seek to destroy. He provides for us, omniscient, knowing our needs before we do, and equips us with wisdom, omnisapient, to navigate life's challenges. He is omnipresent, ensuring we are never alone, and His omnibenevolence is a love so profound it covers every sin. When we truly grasp these facets of His nature, our faith deepens. He is not just our Savior but our Lord, worthy of obedience and reverence. The recognition of this transforms not only our understanding of God but also our daily lives.

Responding to a Mighty God

So how do we respond to such overwhelming might? It begins with surrender. A mighty God requires a posture of humility, acknowledging His authority and letting Him lead. This isn’t a call to perfection but to a life of "long obedience in the same direction." Obedience is not a burden by any means; it is a natural response to His love and power. The more we dwell in His presence, the more our hearts are captivated by Him, and the less appealing sin becomes. This is why it’s so important to remember the phrase “Seek ye first…” Matt. 6:33 This is the sanctifying work of His Spirit. And in this journey, no failure is too great for His grace. The mightiest act of God is His love—a love that pursues, forgives, heals, and restores.

God’s might isn’t distant or theoretical. It is personal, powerful, and transformative. Let this truth reshape how we see Him, ourselves, and the world around us. Our Mighty God is worthy of our trust, our worship, and our lives.

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church

He is Our BETTER HELP

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!!! The time in which we reflect on the iteration of Jesus that is 8lbs 6oz. The version that we know as “Baby Jesus.” I love this time of year, the emphasis we place on celebrating the coming of the King in this meek and mild state. I have a theory…hear me out. I believe that the reason we get to celebrate as a baby is because every time we witness a “reveal” of sorts with God in the Old Testament we also witness an aftermath of His people freakin’ out and running for their lives. So it would only make sense that He swings the pendulum and offers a version of Himself that is indeed very meek, very mild…very demur, very mindful. 8lbs 6oz so obviously very cutesy. I digress.

This year we’ve decided, in celebrating the birth of the Savior, that we wanted to look at and unpack all of the names that are given of the coming in Isa. 9:6: 
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace

And I get the honor of unpacking the first. Before we dive in though I do feel the need to give a Spirit led disclaimer: Pretty much everyone is catching strays on this one, myself included.*

*catching strays- a good, Christian definition for this code switch is being strongly convicted by the Holy Spirit. They will probably hurt, but it is for our best in the end so amen to it. Anyway, Let’s dive in.

The Miracle of “Wonderful” Counsel

Isaiah 9:6 paints a vivid picture of a coming Messiah, calling Him the "Wonderful Counselor." The word "wonderful," derived from the Hebrew pele, describes something extraordinary, beyond human comprehension. This is not mere advice or good intentions—this is divine wisdom that surpasses all understanding. In ancient Israel, wonders were acts that displayed God’s presence and power. This same miraculous power is embodied in the counsel of Jesus. His wisdom is unparalleled, not just a guide for life’s challenges but a transformative force. He doesn’t simply point the way; He walks with us, offering counsel that heals, restores, and redeems. The word counselor,the Hebrew verb "yaats," primarily means to advise or counsel. In ancient Israel, counsel was highly valued, especially in leadership and governance. Kings, prophets, elders often sought advice to make informed decisions; the hopes that such information will be wise and godly. The role of a counselor was significant, as it could influence the direction of a nation…the outcome of a situation for good or bad. That’s why wisdom literature of the Bible, such as Proverbs, emphasizes the importance of seeking wise counsel and the dangers of ignoring it.

Trust Issues with the Divine

One of the greatest barriers to receiving the counsel of Jesus is misplaced trust. As John Calvin observed, “...Everyone flatters himself and carries a kingdom in his breast.” Translation: we often build kingdoms in our hearts, relying on our own wisdom. Last time I checked this was also called pride and according to about six passages in the book of Proverbs it don’t end well. Ahh, or how about we seek the guidance of others over God as well? Whether it’s a self-made philosophy or the latest trending advice from those who are deemed “successful” in society (realizing there is a major difference between being successful and being an actual Kingdom success…I’ll leave that alone for now), these substitutes leave us spiritually malnourished. Scripture reminds us, however, that Jesus offers not just better help but the best help. He is the embodiment of wisdom itself, the one who knows our needs intimately and supplies according to His riches.

Yet, too often, we fall into the trap of modern “Rehoboams,” dismissing God’s wisdom for shallow alternatives. In 2 Chron. 10 we see him, having come into power as king after the death of his father (maybe you’ve heard of him. Solomon?), immediately needing to make a decision on what to do with his new people and how to treat them. He has the opportunity to discuss his options with two different groups: 1. The “wise counsel” that was his father’s advisors (btw, don’t miss that. Solomon, the wisesssst man in the Old Testament, felt the need to have advisors. Just putting that out there :-) ) and 2. The advice of his friends that he grew up with that he now considers his “advisors.” I’ll spare the additional details. Rehoboam goes with the advice of his friends and not the wise advisors and the consequences are most crucial; the downfall of the entire United Kingdom of Israel.

His father handled things differently. He not only had wise counsel, but he also had conversation and communication, communion with the wise Counselor. In 1 Kings 3, we see him having a dialogue with God and, when asked specifically for what he wants on account of his faithfulness, he simply says “...Give me an understanding heart, give me wisdom, so I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who alone can govern this great people of yours!” 3:9. And for this, God not only gave him the wisdom he asked for, but He also gave him what he didn’t; riches, fame, and honor throughout the world! Why would we want anything other than what God has in store for us? Or let me ask that in a very disrespectful way: Why would you want to impress your friends who can ultimately do nothing for you and potentially make your situation worse? Much worse. Like…destruction of the kingdom worse. I’ll stop there.

A Kingdom Perspective

Leading me to this ultimate point. Jesus’ counsel is not just personal—it’s Kingdom-focused. His teachings invite us to see life through an eternal lens, as He preached, “The Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). This isn’t a distant hope but a present reality. Living with a Kingdom mindset means aligning our daily lives with eternal truths, seeking not comfort but purpose. Solomon’s humility in seeking God’s wisdom exemplifies this, as he prayed for an understanding heart to govern well. Jesus challenges us to do the same—to trust Him fully, prioritize His Kingdom, and let His counsel shape our decisions, actions, and attitudes. But we have to be willing to trust Him enough to know His counsel isn’t just our better help. It is our best help!

Living the Counsel

The true measure of honoring the Wonderful Counselor lies in how we live out His teachings. To celebrate His wisdom is to embrace the discomfort of trust and obedience. It’s choosing to love as He loved, forgive as He forgave, and pursue righteousness over convenience. His counsel often defies logic but always leads to life. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Trusting Jesus may stretch us, and that’s okay. Because He’s not here for our comfort. He’s here for His Kingdom, but it is in this stretching that we grow. The journey isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it, for His counsel brings not only guidance but also eternal peace and joy. Not to mention, whatever that discomfort is probably the very place He’s designed for you, and assigned for you. Be obedient. Stay the course. Trust the process. Trust God. Get in His Word and receive the counsel of the Word made flesh. Trust in the counsel of Jesus. The one who, in His wise counsel, demonstrates His sovereignty, has delivered His people, and affirms His new covenant with them in His blood that atones, His blood that cleanses, His blood that saves, heals, and restores.

In every season, but especially during Advent, let us turn our hearts to the Wonderful Counselor. Let us listen, trust, and live according to His wisdom, remembering that His guidance is not just good—it’s miraculous. Kingdom.

Act Accordingly.

One Love,
JRNB

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church