He Shall Be Called: Everlasting Father
More than 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote these words:
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."
—Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)
This prophecy points us toward Jesus, the light who came into the darkness. And even now, we continue to look forward with hope and expectation—because He is coming again.
Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” While we remember Jesus' first coming during this season, we also prepare our hearts for His second coming. Isaiah 9 goes on to say:
"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 (ESV)
Let’s reflect on one of those names: Everlasting Father.
The Father Who Holds You
Many of us struggle to understand the idea of God as Father because of our own experiences with earthly fathers. But Scripture reveals a Heavenly Father who is perfect, present, and personal. He isn’t distant. He isn’t passive. He isn’t too busy. He is a Father who holds us—and who never lets go.
In Hebrew, one of the key words for hope is tikvah, which literally means “cord” or “rope.” It comes from the root word qavah, which means “to wait eagerly” or “to expect.”
Hope is not passive. Hope pulls. Like a rope stretched tight, hope lives in the tension between promise and fulfillment. And it holds us in place when everything else around us feels unsteady.
What Are You Tied To?
The illustration of a climbing rope is helpful here. When you’re rock climbing, you trust your safety to what you’re tied to. If your harness isn’t attached to something secure, you’re in danger. The same is true spiritually. Hope is what you are trusting to hold your future.
So the question is: What are you tied to?
Are you anchored to temporary things—success, relationships, control, comfort?
Or are you tied to the only One who can truly hold you—Jesus, our Everlasting Father?
When our hope is set on anything less than Christ, our hearts grow anxious and weary. But when our hope is set on Him, our future is secure—even if the present feels uncertain.
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
—1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)
You're Not Meant to Wait Alone
Waiting can feel isolating—but it’s not meant to be. Just like strands of rope are woven together for strength, our hope is strengthened when we walk through seasons of waiting in community.
The Hebrew picture of hope reminds us:
Hope is a rope—it holds us under tension.
Hope grows stronger when woven together with others.
Hope attaches us to something (or someone)—so be sure it’s Jesus.
This is why church matters. Community matters. We are meant to wait and hope together, encouraging one another with the truth that Jesus is coming again.
The Everlasting Father Is For You
Jesus came to show us what the Father is like. Hebrews 1:3 tells us:
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature..."
—Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)
And here’s what Jesus showed us:
1. The Father desires fellowship with you.
He’s not distant. He’s not too busy. He longs to be with you.
"...indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ."
—1 John 1:3 (ESV)
2. The Father wants to hold your future.
In a world full of shaky promises, His grip is secure. Jesus is our hope—not a future promotion, not a relationship, not even a peaceful life. Just Him.
3. The Father is fighting for you.
Even when you feel alone or uncertain, your Father is for you—not against you.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?"
—Romans 8:31 (ESV)
Reflection Questions
What have you been attaching your hope to lately? Take time to journal honestly about where your heart turns for security and comfort.
How would your daily mindset shift if you truly believed that God delights in you, is fighting for you, and wants to be close to you?
Read 1 Peter 1:13 again. What might it look like to “set your hope fully” on the grace that will be revealed in Jesus?
Jesus is our Everlasting Father. He holds us. He’s coming again. And until that day, we wait with hope—not alone, but together.