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“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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever – the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17a)

We begin a new teaching series today and for the duration of this Advent season, exploring the four throne names of Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. We read this passage every Christmas, usually announcing our carol services, but it has a new relevance today following the complexity of 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic. Why? Because we have seen not only a wave of physical illness globally but a wave of deterioration in our mental health too. The message of both Isaiah 9 and John 14 is that we all need the Counsellor to truly and eternally live. Isaiah 9 speaks of this King and Messiah who designs and implements the purposes of God to save humankind, liberate and free His creation as well as build His eternal kingdom. Jesus did and continues to do this but He also gives the Counsellor in our Advocate, Friend, Helper or Parakletos, the Holy Spirit. He will be with God’s people forever, live in us and teach us all things. He will give us peace, incomparable with that given by the world. As much as we will benefit from an earthly and human counsellor, professional people to assist with our mental wellbeing, we all need the ultimate, wonderful and life-giving Counsellor of Jesus and our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to truly and eternally live. Consider how you might give them more room in your heart and life today.