What would be the perfect gift for mighty God?
Do we take time to examine the tag before we open a gift? Reading the giver’s name, especially if he’s known for generosity, quickens our pulse before we tear the wrapping paper. Some people excel in the gift-giving department and seem to know the present that best fits the recipient. Isaiah promised that God would give the perfect gift to the world. Who better than the Creator to make that selection? The prophet’s anticipation soared as he described the gift hundreds of years in advance. God would send a child, and He would be called Mighty God.
God is above our level
Isaiah tells us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God works far above our level, and quite often His actions make little sense to us. Who but God would choose the birth of a child as His strategy for defeating sin, death and Satan? The name Mighty God means Powerful Warrior or Champion—names that predict the One to come would triumph over evil.
What else does Isaiah tell us about God, the One who gives beyond measure? He is holy, holy, holy (Isaiah 6:3). That’s Isaiah’s way of telling us God is 100% pure. Isaiah reminds us that God is our Creator, and He sits above the angelic beings in power and authority (Isaiah 37:16). God has no peers, and His plans cannot be thwarted (Isaiah 25:1). The prophet’s words assure us that God promised to give His best.
Keep the receipt
In my Christmas shopping I’m careful to keep the receipt in case an exchange is necessary. The size, color, or even my selection may be wrong. God’s gift is the right choice for each of us. Mighty God conquered sin in the battle at Calvary. He will one day establish an everlasting kingdom where we will enjoy His presence forever. In our daily walk Mighty God gives us purpose and showers us with blessings that surprise and delight.
What parent hasn’t experienced Christmas-morning stress over garbled instructions, parts that refuse to align, or missing batteries not used in any common household device? The child waits expectantly (perhaps not patiently, though) while Dad and Mom rush to assemble the gift. And then there’s the frantic search for the crucial part lost in the mounds of discarded wrapping paper. Oh, the joy of the assembled gift that works right out of the box. God’s gift requires no effort on our part since He did all the work. And there’s more! Mighty God adds generous benefits including:
- (Isaiah 26:3-4)
God never changes, and His gift never grows outdated. We can center our thoughts on Him and experience an unexplainable peace in any circumstance. - Unlimited grace. (Isaiah 30:18)
Isaiah painted a portrait of God seeking out opportunities to shower grace upon us. His compassion covers every part of our lives. - (Isaiah 40:11)
A Powerful Warrior who overcomes His enemies seems unapproachable, yet Mighty God displays gentleness in His dealings with His children. We could never rise to His level, so He descended to ours. - (Isaiah 41:10, 43:1-2)
Fear, panic, and anxiety are responses we can avoid since He walks with us. He wraps His arms around us in the turmoil, and He calls us by name. We belong to Him.
Gifts are free
Gifts by definition are free. The giver expects no reimbursement. We accept God’s gracious offer, but repaying His generosity is impossible. Our love for Him grows deeper as the magnitude of His gift overwhelms us, and we want to show our love for Him in some tangible way. How do we demonstrate our love for God? What gift can we give?
Isaiah answered that question for us. God desires men and women who are willing to serve at His pleasure, perform His work, and follow Him with their whole hearts. Isaiah showed the perfect gift for Mighty God in Isaiah 6:8 (NIV), “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”
Have you accepted Mighty God? Is He at the top of your giving list this Christmas?