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