When Christ is Commander in Chief: Part 2 - Kerry Shook
When Christ is Commander in Chief: Part 2 - Kerry Shook
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. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end….” Isaiah 9:6-7a (NIV2011)
The titles Isaiah gives for Christ in this prophetic passage reveal the benefit we can experience when we make Christ the Commander in Chief of our lives today. Because He is the Wonderful Counselor, He offers His followers direction in every decision and, because He is the Mighty God, we have strength in every storm! The final two titles offer us tremendous personal comfort.
“And He will be called Everlasting Father . . . . ”
In John’s Gospel Jesus said, “I and the Father are one. … If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father.” John 10:30; 14:7) He is the eternal, consistent, Everlasting Father! He is forever faithful! In Christ, we have confidence in every crisis! You may be facing a crisis of faith today! Jesus said,
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:33 (NIV2011)
This isn’t heaven, and becoming a Christ follower doesn’t inoculate you and me with a vaccination that makes you immune to trouble. Our world is in chaos because it is fallen and sinful, and there will be crises in our lives that are unavoidable. Unlike others who have no hope, the Christ follower has an Everlasting Father who is always there in the midst of the crisis to offer us confidence. Everlasting means He never changes! Everything in your life is subject to change because it’s all temporary. We lose confidence when we put our hope in the things that can change or be taken away from us. But, the Bible says God will never change. In James 1:17, the Bible says,
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
When you put your faith in the unchanging, everlasting Father, you will find confidence in every crisis! He’s a Commander in Chief who will never let you down!
“And He will be called . . . Prince of Peace.”
This is one of my personal favorites! As the Prince of Peace, Jesus offers us peace in every problem. Did you know that, out of 4,000 years of recorded history, there have been only 286 years of peace? We live in a world at war! The threat of terror internationally and hostility within our own homes robs us of any sense of personal peace. But, Jesus told His followers,
“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 (NLT)
Twice, Jesus said that His peace was a gift! We can’t achieve peace no matter how hard we may try. We receivepeace because it is a gift! Only when we make Christ the Commander in Chief of our lives will we experience peace of mind and heart. Have you experienced that kind of peace? Jesus offers His followers peace in every problem. The problems of life may not always go away, but you will have peace in the midst of them instead of panic. The real truth is that Jesus doesn’t give us something called peace of mind and heart; He is our peace! In Ephesians 2:14 the Bible says,
“Christ Himself is our peace….”
He is the Prince of Peace! One day, the governments of this world will be on His shoulders. Isaiah said,
“… the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end!”
If you want Jesus for President, then choose Him now! Don’t wait until He comes again. As your Wonderful Counselor, He will give you direction in every decision. As your Mighty God, He offers you strength in every storm! As your Everlasting Father, He gives you confidence in every crisis and, as your Prince of Peace, He promises peace in every problem. Make Christ the Commander in Chief of your life today!
