Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
If you are like me, I can’t help but hear the music of Handel’s “Messiah” whenever I read this verse!
I think it is so fitting that Handel used this music as a work of charity. He offered to perform it at a benefit concert for the Foundling Hospital in London England, a new orphanage for the abandoned children in England. The concert was so successful that it became an annual event. Upon Handel’s death, it was found that he made provisions in his will to give the Foundling Hospital a complete copy of the composition so they could continue the performances after his death.
I wonder if the children of the orphanage ever heard the music performed themselves? And if so, what words do you think may have resonated with them the most? For those without a father, perhaps hearing that God was their Everlasting Father would be words strikingly comforting.
So many adults I know struggle with this concept of God as their Father. Perhaps their earthly father was aloof or missing-in-action. Or worse, perhaps he was abusive. The name “father” can come with much baggage for some people.
Thankfully, God has provided us with examples in Scripture of what it means to be a good father. And many of the attributes of a good father correspond with the names given in Isaiah’s passage above.
A good father trains his children. And as a Wonderful Counselor, God guides and leads us to the truth. His training is not harmful. It is wise. He directs us and helps us grow into children that reflect God’s attributes and character.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7 KJV)
A good father also has COMPASSION for his children and COMFORTS them.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 WEB)
This is one of the ways that God our Father is the Prince of Peace. His comfort brings us peace, just like a good father’s comfort brings peace to his child.
A good father also PROVIDES for his children.
Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11 WEB)
And of course, most of all, a good father LOVES his children.
By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his only born Son into the world that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10 WEB)
In Christ’s death and resurrection we see all of God’s attributes.
As the Everlasting Father, God loves us enough to provide a way for our salvation. As Prince of Peace, He gives His life to pay the debt for our sins, that we might be at peace with God. And only a Mighty God can accomplish this, bearing the weight of the sins of the world on himself, emerging victorious over sin and death!
Praise God He is such a good Father! During this Christmas season, when you hear the beautiful music of Handel’s “Messiah”, thank Him for being your Father.
Gramophone Chorus, Ghana, performs “For Unto Us a Son Is Born,” Handel’s Messiah
Scripture verses were taken from the King James Version (KJV), and from the World English Bible (WEB), which are both in the Public Domain.