Today's Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7

Devo Author: David Matthews

Date: November 30, 2021

PAUSE. Right now... stop, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and consider: What comes to mind when you think about Jesus? What role does He play in your life? What words would you use to describe how you experience Him?

Over the last 18 months, I have been deeply invested in counseling and soul care at the end of one of the most difficult years of my life. The key question that has guided our counseling discussion and conversation over the last year and a half is this: what one word best describes you? It’s an identity question. There are various ways to ask the same question: "How do you see yourself?" or "What brings you the most fulfillment?" or "If you could summarize the purpose of your life with one word, what would it be?" It took me several hours of circling the topic to finally land on a word that encompassed how I really see myself. A single word like this helps us see who God made us to be.

A question like this doesn't just belong to me. A.W. Tozer said, "What we think about God is the most important thing about us." So, as you paused and considered your thoughts about Jesus, did you quickly shoot from the hip and throw out a feel-good word? Or did you pick something that is foundational to who you have become? With Tozer's quote in mind, how important is God's perspective on who Jesus is?

If you are at a loss for words, the prophet Isaiah helps by boldly declaring that Jesus is: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

So as you go about your day, carefully consider these titles and how they change you from the inside out. Today, rest in the identity phrases that capture who Jesus is. Let them govern you, encourage you, build you up and give you peace. Let your identity rest in the identity of Jesus whose light-exploding entrance into the world pushed back the darkness and finally provided mankind with the identity we need.