Mighty God

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

"He will be called... Mighty God..." I know the verse. I have the ornament. But, do I have the faith?

When this verse was written, Israel's ruler was king Ahaz, a young, inexperienced ruler who got the country in lots of trouble. Mighty kings attacked Israel at every opportunity. The people of Israel felt powerless. A country, constantly under attack, led by an ignorant king -- and the prophet promises a Mighty God. Send him soon!!! But the promise was fulfilled when baby Jesus was born in that manger - 700 YEARS later.

Can you imagine? Captive Israel, promised a Mighty God, waited 700 years for the promise to be fulfilled.

I don't face attack from powerful enemy nations day after day. I don't wonder where my next meal will come from. I never doubt that my home will have heat or my car will have gas (OK - that one I doubt, but only because I like living dangerously close to "E"). I don't doubt that my bed will be warm or that my kids will be educated.

The littlest things trip me up. The kids leave a trail of stuff through the house, and I blow a gasket. (They'd shout AMEN if they were reading this with you). The "spinning color wheel" on my computer keeps going and going and going - my computer frozen, and I grow quickly frustrated. Itty bitty annoyances compared to 700 years of persecution from all sides. Do I have faith in a Mighty God?

I believe fully in God, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But, so often, I ignore them. Not sure why... I just do.

If I could offer God a gift this Christmas, I would walk more by faith -- and less by mood!

I would remember:

1. The character of God - love, faith, and hope is bigger than my problems. I would praise more and whine less.

2. His works already done. Instead of focusing on today's problems, I should remember what God has already done: delivering me from depression, bringing my daughter home from China, guiding us to the right home in the right community, and even to the right church. And the little things, too, like the dozens of times I've found my car keys - but not until I prayed for help to find them.

3. God is God, and I am not. And that is okay with Him! (Thanks, Josh, for putting it this way!) He's not about powerful displays of faith. He's all about the questions. I'll never fully understand God. He knows that. He just wants me to ask. Doubt is not a bad thing! It's a relationship thing... just ask.

4. He is there when I soar -- and He is there when I crash. He never changes, even though I do. God is God, all the time!

Do I have faith in a Mighty God? I do. I hope it shows more and more each day.