He Shall Be Called: Wonderful Counselor
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)
"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.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."
When Isaiah prophesied the coming Messiah, he gave us names that reflect not just titles, but truths about God’s character. “Wonderful Counselor” isn’t poetic flair—it’s a powerful declaration of who Jesus is to His people, then and now.
What Does “Wonderful Counselor” Mean?
Digging into the original Hebrew helps us see more clearly what Isaiah was declaring:
Wonderful (Hebrew: pele) means “incomprehensible.” It speaks to something so awe-inspiring that it’s beyond full human understanding.
Counselor (Hebrew: ya’ats) means “one who advises or directs with wisdom.” This term was used to describe kings giving commands during times of battle.
So when we call Jesus our Wonderful Counselor, we’re saying He is an incomprehensible wise commander. Not just someone who listens, but someone who leads—with divine insight and perfect understanding.
He Still Speaks
If we truly believe Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, then we must believe He is still speaking today. Not just to the super-spiritual or to leaders—but to all His people. His voice isn't just a concept; it's the lifeblood of relationship with Him.
Throughout Scripture, we see this clearly:
Psalm 32:8 (ESV) — "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."
Psalm 33:6 (ESV) — "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host."
Isaiah 28:29 (ESV) — "This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom."
John 10:3-4 (ESV) — “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out... they know his voice.”
God is not silent.
From the very beginning, He spoke the world into being.
He’s always been a God who speaks—and He hasn’t stopped.
Why Don’t We Believe He Speaks to Us?
We believe in a virgin birth. We believe in a Savior who died and rose again. But when it comes to the idea that God still speaks personally, many of us hesitate. We doubt, overcomplicate, or disqualify ourselves.
But Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, gave us the Holy Spirit so we could walk in step with Him daily. In John 14:26 (ESV), Jesus says:
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
It’s not a matter of whether He’s speaking—it’s whether we’re listening.
Hearing His Voice: A Personal Journey
For many, learning to hear God’s voice begins awkwardly. That was true for Pastor Chris. Growing up in a Christian home gave him a foundation of faith, but understanding the voice of God came later. As he began to spend consistent time in His Word and worship, he started to recognize His voice. Often, it sounded like a thought he wouldn’t have had on my own—sometimes like my own voice, but aligned with Scripture, full of life and peace.
Jesus said the Spirit would remind us of what He’s said (John 14:26), guide us into truth (John 16:13), and dwell in us (John 14:16-17). And over the years, Pastor Chris has seen this promise play out—not just in theology, but in real life.
He’s received encouragement in seasons of waiting, direction when he was lost, and comfort when he was grieving. God’s spoken through dreams, pictures, scripture, nature, and the quiet thoughts in Chris’ heart. Always gentle, always true to His Word.
Building a Life That Listens
Learning to hear the Wonderful Counselor takes intentionality. It also takes repentance. Sometimes, the biggest block to hearing God is the belief that He doesn’t speak—or doesn’t want to speak to me. But Scripture says otherwise. We were made for this relationship. We were made to hear and follow.
Repentance can sound like:
“God, I’m sorry for agreeing with the lie that You don’t speak or don’t want to speak to me. I choose today to believe Your Word. Teach me to listen.”
Then it’s a matter of building space in your life to hear Him:
Open His Word daily.
Ask Him questions.
Make room for quiet.
Write down what you sense He’s saying.
Test everything against Scripture.
He is always faithful to respond to hearts that seek Him.
Reflection Questions
What lies have I believed about hearing God's voice—and what truths from Scripture speak against them?
How can I create space in my daily life to listen to the Wonderful Counselor?
What’s one way I’ve already experienced God speaking, even if I didn’t recognize it at the time?