For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called
“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
He is Mighty God?
Of the four Names this is the one that is most confusing. We often wrestle with what appears to be the absence of His mightiness in everyday life instead of its constant presence. We proclaim it yet privately wonder where it is.
My sister suddenly got sick and died but God is Mighty
My breast cancer has returned but God is Mighty
My son's addiction is out of control but God is Mighty
My marriage ended but God is Mighty
My depression won't go away but God is Mighty
My family is estranged from one another but God is Mighty
My adult children are away from the Lord but God is Mighty
My _____________________________________ but God is Mighty
Sound familiar?
The frequent disconnect between our circumstances and the mightiness of God is typically taboo to discuss in church circles. Wanting to avoid the label of doubter we quietly suffer alone wondering if anyone else is feeling the same way.
Well, I have some Good News to share:
First, you are not alone, and God is not put off by your questions. Struggling in this area is an expression of faith not faithlessness. Faith is believing that God is Mighty but wondering where He is. Faithlessness is no longer believing that God is Mighty or that He even exists. The presence of struggle is actually evidence of faith.
Secondly, the mightiness of God must always but understood in the context of the divine restraint of God. His Ways are embedded in an extraordinary Love that is greater than any word we have to describe it. He acts or does not act according to this Love even when it doesn't feel like love to us. Jesus experienced this moment on the Cross when He cried out to the Father, Why have you forsaken me?
Thirdly, familiarity can produce a lack of appreciation in us. Is it not mighty that God woke us up again this morning? Or that He is once again ushering us from the Fall to Winter? Or that we once again arrived safely on our trip? Or that we once again ate a meal? Or that we once again enjoyed our shelter? Many people in the world are trusting Him for these basic needs, yet we take them for granted. When was the last time you looked to the night sky in awe and said, Who is like you, Mighty God?
Fourthly, most of the mighty acts of God done on our behalf are unseen. Can you imagine all the divine intervention it takes for God to order our steps? For Him to number our days ensuring that we are born at the precise moment and leave this earth at the precise appointed time? And to do that for all of us simultaneously for all time? Who are we, Mighty God, that you are mindful of us? All power, glory and honor be to you.
And finally, God is with us. This Mighty God chose to come as a baby; to grow up; and to walk among us. God incarnate and yet also Mighty. Those two don't usually go together. How can full divinity and full humanity co-exist in One Person? Is there anything more mighty than this? Does anyone else hold the words of eternal life like Jesus? And all of this, to be with us - Emmanuel.
I'm wondering today if Mighty God can reclaim His rightful place in your heart no matter what you are facing? There is Good News: He is ready to be with you.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
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